Question

3. (a) Write a balanced chemical equation for the
incomplete combustion of acetylene gas.
(b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of acetylene gas.

Answer 1

In the incomplete combustion of acetylene with oxygen, water and carbon monoxide are formed, rather than carbon dioxide which is formed in the complete combustion. So the balanced equation for the incomplete combustion is:

2C₂H₂ + 3O₂ → 4CO + 2H₂O

And the balanced equation for the complete combustion is:

2C₂H₂ + 5O₂ → 4CO₂ + 2H₂O