Chemical Reaction of Propane with Oxygen and its Impact on Carbon Dioxide Production

In a typical combustion reaction, propane (C3H8) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). This reaction is represented by the balanced equation: C3H8 5O2 → 3CO2 4H2O. The article delves into the process of calculating the number of carbon dioxide molecules produced when 15.00 liters of gaseous propane reacts with air. This calculation is done under different conditions, including room temperature to determine the exact number of molecules produced.

Understanding the Reaction and Calculations

First, we need to understand the balanced chemical equation, which shows that one mole of propane produces three moles of carbon dioxide. This information forms the basis of our calculations.

Step 1: Calculate Moles of Propane

Under standard temperature and pressure (STP, 0°C and 1 atm), one mole of any gas occupies exactly 22.4 liters. Given that the volume of gaseous propane is 15.00 liters, we can determine the moles of propane:

Moles of C3H8 Volume (L) Molar volume (L/mol) 15.00 22.4 ≈ 0.6696 mol

Step 2: Calculate Moles of Carbon Dioxide Produced

Using the stoichiometric ratio from the balanced equation, we can calculate the moles of CO2 produced:

Moles of CO2 Moles of C3H8 × 3 moles CO2 1 mole C3H8 0.6696 mol × 3 ≈ 2.0088 mol

Step 3: Convert Moles of CO2 to Molecules

Using Avogadro's number (6.022 × 1023 molecules/mol), we can convert moles of CO2 to molecules:

Molecules of CO2 Moles of CO2 × 6.022 × 1023 molecules/mol ≈ 2.0088 mol × 6.022 × 1023 molecules/mol ≈ 1.206 × 1024 molecules

Alternate Calculation at Room Temperature

Assuming the propane gas is produced at room temperature (25°C), where 1 mole of propane occupies 24 liters, the conditions change slightly. We can calculate the moles of propane and subsequently the moles and molecules of carbon dioxide produced.

Calculate Moles of Propane at 25°C

Given 15 liters of propane at 25°C:

x 15 L 24 L/mol ≈ 0.625 mol

Using the stoichiometry, 1 mole of C3H8 produces 3 moles of CO2.

Moles of CO2 produced 0.625 mol × 3 1.875 mol

Convert Moles of CO2 to Molecules at 25°C

Using Avogadro's number:

Molecules of CO2 1.875 mol × 6.022 × 1023 molecules/mol 1.12875 × 1024 molecules

In conclusion, the chemical reaction of 15.00 liters of gaseous propane at room temperature produces approximately 1.206 × 1024 molecules of carbon dioxide CO2.

Further research and experimentation may be needed to validate these theoretical calculations, especially in varied environmental conditions.