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6 Pentadecane, C$_{15}$H$_{32}$, is a hydrocarbon and is used as a fuel - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 6 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 6
6 Pentadecane, C$_{15}$H$_{32}$, is a hydrocarbon and is used as a fuel. (i) Explain why the incomplete combustion of pentadecane can produce carbon monoxide as one... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:6 Pentadecane, C$_{15}$H$_{32}$, is a hydrocarbon and is used as a fuel - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 6 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain why the incomplete combustion of pentadecane can produce carbon monoxide as one of the products.
Answer
Incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient oxygen available for the hydrocarbon to react completely. When pentadecane (CH) is burned in limited oxygen, it cannot produce carbon dioxide (CO) as the only product. Instead, carbon monoxide (CO), a less oxidized form of carbon, is produced. The following reaction summarizes this:
ightarrow CO + H_2O $$ This process generates CO along with water (H$_2$O) instead of solely carbon dioxide.Step 2
Explain how carbon monoxide behaves as a toxic gas.
Answer
Carbon monoxide is toxic because it binds with hemoglobin in red blood cells more effectively than oxygen does. When inhaled, CO forms carboxyhemoglobin, reducing the blood's ability to transport oxygen throughout the body. This can lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and, in severe cases, death due to oxygen deprivation. The affinity of CO for hemoglobin is approximately 240 times greater than that of oxygen, making it a significant health hazard.
Step 3
Complete the balanced equation for this reaction by adding the formula of the missing product.
Answer
To balance the cracking equation for pentadecane, we have:
ightarrow C_{8}H_{18} + C_{3}H_{6} + 2C_{2}H_{4} $$ The missing product is ethene, C$_{2}$H$_{4}$, making a total of 2 moles of ethene produced in the reaction.