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Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry
Chapter 3, Problem 71

The complete combustion of octane, C8H18, produces 5470 kJ of heat. Calculate how many grams of octane are required to produce 20,000 kJ of heat.

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Write the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of octane: \[ 2 \text{C}_8\text{H}_{18} + 25 \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 16 \text{CO}_2 + 18 \text{H}_2\text{O} \].
Step 2: Note that the combustion of 2 moles of octane produces 5470 kJ of heat. Therefore, calculate the heat produced per mole of octane by dividing 5470 kJ by 2.
Step 3: Determine the number of moles of octane needed to produce 20,000 kJ of heat by dividing 20,000 kJ by the heat produced per mole of octane calculated in Step 2.
Step 4: Calculate the molar mass of octane (C8H18) by adding the atomic masses of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H): \[ 8 \times 12.01 \text{ g/mol} + 18 \times 1.01 \text{ g/mol} \].
Step 5: Convert the moles of octane needed (from Step 3) to grams by multiplying the number of moles by the molar mass of octane calculated in Step 4.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows us to calculate how much of a substance is needed or produced based on the balanced chemical equation. In this case, understanding the stoichiometric coefficients will help determine the amount of octane required to produce a specific amount of heat.
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Heat of Combustion

The heat of combustion is the amount of energy released when a substance undergoes complete combustion with oxygen. For octane, the heat of combustion is given as 5470 kJ per mole. This value is crucial for calculating how many grams of octane are needed to achieve a desired energy output, such as 20,000 kJ in this problem.
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Molar Mass

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). For octane (C8H18), the molar mass can be calculated by summing the atomic masses of its constituent elements. This concept is essential for converting between moles of octane and grams, allowing us to find the mass needed to produce the specified amount of heat.
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