The reaction, 2C4H10 (g) + 13O2 (g) à 8CO2 (g) + 5H2O (g), is the combustion of butane. What occurs as the reaction proceeds?

The reaction, 2 C4H10 (g) + 13 O2 (g) = 8 CO2 (g) + 5 H2O (g), is the combustion of butane. A combustion reaction involves the reaction of a hydrocarbon with oxygen producing carbon dioxide and water. This reaction is exothermic which means it releases energy in the form of heat. Therefore, as the reaction proceeds, a heat energy is being given off by the reaction. This happens because the total kinetic energy of the reactants is greater than the total kinetic energy of the products. So, the excess energy should be given off somewhere which in this case is released as heat.