Write the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of ethane ( $C_{2} H_{6}$ ) in excess oxygen, and state the type of reaction.

easy 2 marks Class 10 · Science · Chemical Reactions and Equations

Answer

2 C_{2} H_{6} + 7 O_{2} \to 4C O_{2} + 6 H_{2} O

; combustion reaction.

The correct answer is $2 C_{2} H_{6} + 7 O_{2} \to 4C O_{2} + 6 H_{2} O$ ; combustion reaction. — Combustion reactions involve a hydrocarbon reacting with oxygen to give $C O_{2}$ and $H_{2} O$ , so this is a combustion reaction.

Step-by-step solution

Write the skeleton equation: $C_{2} H_{6} + O_{2} \to C O_{2} + H_{2} O$ .
Balance carbon atoms: place coefficient 2 before $C_{2} H_{6}$ and 4 before $C O_{2}$ .
Balance hydrogen atoms: 2 × 6 = 12 H atoms on left, so place coefficient 6 before $H_{2} O$ .
Count oxygen atoms on right: $4 \times 2 + 6 \times 1 = 14$ O atoms; therefore place coefficient 7 before $O_{2}$ .
The final balanced equation is $2 C_{2} H_{6} + 7 O_{2} \to 4C O_{2} + 6 H_{2} O$ .
Combustion reactions involve a hydrocarbon reacting with oxygen to give $C O_{2}$ and $H_{2} O$ , so this is a combustion reaction.

Common mistake: Balancing carbon first but forgetting to adjust oxygen correctly.

Concept tested: Balancing combustion equations

Published 22 August 2026 · How this solution was prepared and checked

Write the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of ethane (C2​H6​) in excess oxygen, and state the type of reaction.

Step-by-step solution

Related questions

Write the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of ethane ( $C_{2} H_{6}$ ) in excess oxygen, and state the type of reaction.