What are the products of the complete combustion of any hydrocarbon?

A. [tex]H_2O[/tex] only
B. CO only
C. [tex]CO_2[/tex] only
D. CO + [tex]H_2O[/tex]
E. [tex]CO_2 + H_2O[/tex]



Answer :

When a hydrocarbon undergoes complete combustion, it reacts with oxygen (O₂) to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).

Let’s consider a common hydrocarbon, such as methane (CH₄). The balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of methane is:

[tex]\[ CH₄ + 2O₂ \rightarrow CO₂ + 2H₂O \][/tex]

From this reaction, it is evident that carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) are the products of the complete combustion. Therefore, the correct answer is:

[tex]\[ \text{CO₂} \text{ and } \text{H₂O} \][/tex]

Hence, the products of the complete combustion of any hydrocarbon are:

[tex]\[ \text{CO₂} + \text{H₂O} \][/tex]