What mass of decane (C10 22 ) must burn in oxygen to produce 17.3 moles of carbon dioxide ?

Answer 1

First balance the reaction (2 moles of decane are needed to get an even number of O atoms): 2 C₁₀H₂₂ + 31 O₂ --> 20 CO₂ + 22 H₂O. Then (17.3 mole CO₂) * (2 mole C₁₀H₂₂ / 20 mole CO₂) * (142.3g C₁₀H₂₂ / 1 mole C₁₀H₂₂) = 246g C₁₀H₂₂.