1The diagram shows two molecules of a hydrocarbon called ethane and a molecule of oxygen.
aWhat are the products formed when ethane burns in excess air? Carbon dioxide and water
bWrite a word equation for the combustion of ethane. Ethane + oxygen Carbon dioxide + water
cWrite an equation showing the formulae of the reactants and products (this does not have to be balanced). C2H6 + O2 CO2 + H2O
dHow many carbon atoms are there altogether in the two ethane molecules? 4
eHow many carbon dioxide molecules will be formed from the two ethane molecules? 4
fCopy the diagram and draw the correct number of carbon dioxide molecules in one of the empty boxes.
gHow many hydrogen atoms are there altogether in the two ethane molecules? 12
hHow many water molecules will these make? 6
(Hint: remember there are two hydrogen atoms in every water molecule.)
iDraw the water molecules in the remaining empty box.
jCount up the number of oxygen atoms in all the carbon dioxide and water molecules you have drawn. Draw more oxygen molecules in the second box until you have the right number. Remember, you must have oxygen molecules, not atoms.
kBalance the formula equation by writing the correct numbers in front of the formulae you wrote in part c. 2C2H6 + 7O2 4CO2 + 6H2O
2The drawing shows a molecule of propane.
Write a balanced equation for the combustion of propane.
C3H8 + 5O2 3CO2 + 4H2O
3Write balanced equations for hydrocarbons with the following formulae by asking yourself the same questions about the numbers of molecules. Draw pictures of the molecules if it helps you to work out the answer. For some of these you may need to start with two molecules of the hydrocarbon.
© Pearson Education 2010. Edexcel GCSE Science Activity Pack
This document may have been altered from the original.
aC4H10
bC5H12
cC6H14
© Pearson Education 2010. Edexcel GCSE Science Activity Pack
This document may have been altered from the original.
2C4H10 + 13O2 8CO2 + 10H2O
C5H12 + 8O2 5CO2 + 6H2O
2C6H14 + 19O2 12CO2 + 14H2O
Extra challenge
4The drawing shows a molecule of an alcohol called methanol.
aIs methanol a hydrocarbon? Explain your answer. No because it contains oxygen as well as hydrogen and carbon.
bAlcohols also produce carbon dioxide and water when they burn completely in excess oxygen. Write a balanced equation for the combustion of methanol.
2CH3OH + 3O2 2CO2 + 4H2O
© Pearson Education 2010. Edexcel GCSE Science Activity Pack
This document may have been altered from the original.