What are the products of complete combustion of a gaseous hydrocarbon?

Learn the essentials for your FE Mechanical exam. Study with our questions and explanations, designed to prepare you thoroughly for exam day.

In the context of complete combustion of a gaseous hydrocarbon, the products that are typically formed are carbon dioxide and water.

When a hydrocarbon combusts completely in the presence of oxygen, the chemical reaction primarily yields carbon dioxide and water due to the full oxidation of the carbon and hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon molecule. In this process, carbon atoms bond with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, while hydrogen atoms bond with oxygen to produce water.

It's important to recognize that carbon monoxide and ammonia are not products of complete combustion. Carbon monoxide can form in cases of incomplete combustion due to insufficient oxygen, leading to partially oxidized carbon. Ammonia is not a product of hydrocarbon combustion; rather, it is a compound that typically derives from nitrogen-containing reactions, not from the combustion of just hydrocarbons.

Thus, the correct statement about the products of complete combustion specifically highlights carbon dioxide and water, reinforcing that option discussing carbon dioxide aligns accurately with this chemical understanding.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy