Lauren H. answered • 08/11/18
Tutor
4.8
(24)
Experienced High School Chemistry Teacher
There is no H18, there is only H2. Please correct equation.
8CO+17H2-->C8H18+8H2O
- 6.50 moles CO x 17 mol H2/ 8 mol CO x 2.02 grams H2/1 mol H2 = 27.9 g H2
Ed W.
The molecule is C8H18. Hydrogen indeed exists as H2 in the atmosphere, but it shares bonds with carbon in this case. Carbon can have four bonds. If the carbons atoms bond together with single bonds, 18 electrons are left open. The hydrogen bonds to the carbon and create the Lewis structure Octane.
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01/26/22
Lauren H.
Hmmm. I stand by my answer. The equation as written by the student contains an error. The hydrogen is written as H18. There is no molecule with this formula. A Lewis structure cannot be drawn for it. When hydrogen exists as a molecule, which it does in our part of the universe here on earth, it exists as H2. Accordingly, I corrected the equation to reflect this, and, lo and behold, the equation then balanced with the existing coefficients! The solution going from moles CO to grams of H2 is correct.03/23/20