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Which answer best describes what is happening in the following reaction?

[tex]\[2 C_8H_{18} + 25 O_2 \longrightarrow 16 CO_2 + 18 H_2O\][/tex]

A. This is not a redox reaction. It is an example of combustion.
B. This is a redox reaction in which octane \(\left(C_8H_{18}\right)\) is the reducing agent.
C. This is a redox reaction in which carbon dioxide \(\left(CO_2\right)\) burns due to ignition.
D. This is not a redox reaction, because a solution of carbon dioxide and water results.

Sagot :

GinnyAnswer
Let's analyze the given chemical reaction:

[tex]\[ 2 \text{C}_8 \text{H}_{18} + 25 \text{O}_2 \longrightarrow 16 \text{CO}_2 + 18 \text{H}_2 \text{O} \][/tex]

### Step-by-step breakdown:

1. Identify the type of reaction:
- The reaction given is a combustion reaction, as it involves a hydrocarbon (octane, \(\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}\)) reacting with oxygen (\(\text{O}_2\)) to produce carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)) and water (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)).

2. Check if it's a redox reaction:
- A redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction involves the transfer of electrons where the oxidation states of atoms change.

3. Determine the oxidation states of elements in the reactants and products:
- For \(\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}\):
- Carbon in hydrocarbons generally has an oxidation state of \(-3\) because hydrogen is \(+1\).
- For \(\text{O}_2\):
- The oxidation state of the oxygen molecule (\(\text{O}_2\)) is \(0\) because it's in its elemental form.
- For \(\text{CO}_2\):
- Carbon in \(\text{CO}_2\) has an oxidation state of \(+4\) because oxygen is \(-2\).
- For \(\text{H}_2\text{O}\):
- Hydrogen is \(+1\) and oxygen is \(-2\).

4. Determine changes in oxidation states:
- Carbon in \(\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}\) goes from \(-3\) (in \(\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}\)) to \(+4\) (in \(\text{CO}_2\)). This is an increase in oxidation state, meaning carbon is being oxidized.
- Oxygen in \(\text{O}_2\) goes from \(0\) (in \(\text{O}_2\)) to \(-2\) (in \(\text{CO}_2\) and \(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)). This is a decrease in oxidation state, meaning oxygen is being reduced.

5. Identify the reducing and oxidizing agents:
- The substance that is oxidized (losing electrons) is the reducing agent.
- Here, the carbon in \(\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}\) is oxidized, making \(\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}\) the reducing agent.

### Conclusion:

The given reaction is indeed a redox reaction because there is a transfer of electrons as seen from the changes in oxidation states. The correct description of what is happening is:

[tex]\[ \text{This is a redox reaction in which octane (\(\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}\)) is the reducing agent.} \][/tex]

Thus, the best answer is:

[tex]\[ \text{This is a redox reaction in which octane (\(\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}\)) is the reducing agent.} \][/tex]
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