What are the products of the complete combustion of propane?

The complete combustion of propane, which is a hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C₃H₈, occurs when it reacts fully with oxygen in the air. During this process, the hydrocarbon is transformed into carbon dioxide and water. The balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of propane is:

C₃H₈ + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O

In this reaction, each molecule of propane reacts with five molecules of oxygen to produce three molecules of carbon dioxide and four molecules of water. Complete combustion occurs when there is sufficient oxygen available, which allows all carbon in the propane to be converted into carbon dioxide instead of partial oxidation products.

The identification of water and carbon dioxide as the main products demonstrates an important characteristic of complete combustion, where the energy released in the form of heat is maximized and harmful substances like carbon monoxide are minimized during the reaction. This reaction is significant in various applications, including heating and power generation, where efficient energy conversion is desired.