what is the mole ratio of butane to carbon dioxide

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05-02-2025

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Understanding stoichiometry is crucial in chemistry, and a common application involves determining mole ratios in chemical reactions. This article will explore the mole ratio of butane to carbon dioxide in the complete combustion of butane. We'll break down the process step-by-step, making it easy to understand.

The Combustion of Butane

Butane (C₄H₁₀) is a hydrocarbon that readily undergoes combustion in the presence of oxygen (O₂). This reaction produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) as products. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is essential for determining mole ratios.

Balancing the Chemical Equation

The balanced chemical equation represents the precise ratio of reactants and products involved. For the complete combustion of butane, the balanced equation is:

2C₄H₁₀ + 13O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂O

This equation shows that 2 moles of butane react with 13 moles of oxygen to produce 8 moles of carbon dioxide and 10 moles of water.

Determining the Mole Ratio

The mole ratio is simply the ratio of the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation. To find the mole ratio of butane to carbon dioxide, we look at the coefficients of these two substances in the balanced equation above.

Butane to Carbon Dioxide Mole Ratio

From the balanced equation, we can see that 2 moles of butane react to produce 8 moles of carbon dioxide. Therefore, the mole ratio of butane to carbon dioxide is:

2 moles C₄H₁₀ : 8 moles CO₂

This ratio can be simplified to:

1 mole C₄H₁₀ : 4 moles CO₂

This means that for every 1 mole of butane burned completely, 4 moles of carbon dioxide are produced.

Practical Applications of the Mole Ratio

Understanding the mole ratio is vital for various applications, including:

• Calculating the amount of CO₂ produced from a given amount of butane: If you know the moles of butane used, you can use the mole ratio to calculate the moles of CO₂ produced.
• Determining the limiting reactant: In reactions with multiple reactants, the mole ratio helps identify the limiting reactant—the reactant that is completely consumed first, thus limiting the amount of product formed.
• Environmental impact assessments: The mole ratio is crucial for assessing the environmental impact of burning butane, as it allows for precise calculations of the CO₂ emissions.

Conclusion

The mole ratio of butane to carbon dioxide in the complete combustion of butane is 1:4. This fundamental concept in stoichiometry allows us to accurately predict the amounts of reactants and products involved in chemical reactions, with important implications for various applications, including environmental assessments and industrial processes. Remember to always start with a balanced chemical equation to accurately determine mole ratios.

Further Reading

For a deeper understanding of stoichiometry and mole ratios, consider exploring resources on chemical balancing and limiting reactants. Many excellent chemistry textbooks and online resources provide comprehensive explanations and examples.