Complete Combustion

Complete Combustion tutorial

To combust is to burn. In every complete combustion equation a hydrocarbon(CxHy) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Combustion reactions that the pattern of : CxHy + O2(g) --> H2O(g) + CO2(g)
Example #1:
2C8H18 + 25O2 --> 18H2O + 16CO2
Octane(C8H18) reacts with oxygen gas to produce water and carbon dioxide.

Now let’s go step by step.
Write the reaction for the complete combustion of propane (C3H8).

Description of Action	Action
1. Write the formula for the given reactant.	C3H8
2. Add oxygen, O2, as a reactant. Don't forget that oxygen is a diatomic molecule.	C3H8 + O2 -->
3. Your products are ALWAYS H2O and CO2 in a complete combustion. Write H2O and CO2 on the products side.	C3H8 + O2 --> H2O + CO2
4. Balance the equation	C3H8 + 5O2 --> 4H2O + 3CO2