Ethane, C2H6, burns in oxygen. First write a balanced equation for this combustion reaction. What mass of oxygen, in grams, is required for complete combustion of 13.6 g of ethane

We need 50.6 grams of oxygen

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Mass of ethane = 13.6 grams

Molar mass of ethane = 30.07 g/mol

Step 2: The balanced equation

2C2H6 + 7O2 → 4CO2 + 6H2O

Step 3: Calculate moles ethane

Moles ethane = mass ethane / molar mass ethane

Moles ethane = 13.6 grams / 30.07 g/mol

Moles ethane = 0.452 moles

Step 4: Calculate moles oxygen

For 2 moles ethane we need 7 moles O2 to produce 4 moles CO2 and 6 moles H2O

For 0.452 moles ethane we need 3.5*0.452 = 1.582 moles O2

Step 5: Calculate mass O2

Mass O2 = moles O2 * molar mass O2

Mass O2 = 1.582 moles * 32.0 g/mol

Mass O2 = 50.6 grams

We need 50.6 grams of oxygen