What is the balanced equation for the combustion of pentanol, C5H11OH?

Balanced equation for the combustion of pentanol, C5H11OH: 2 C5H11OH + 15 O2 = 10 CO2 + 12 H2O

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A combustion reaction occurs when a fuel source, usually a hydrocarbon, combines with oxygen to burn and produce carbon dioxide and water. Another common category of fuels are alcohols, which are covalent molecules that contain a hydroxyl (-OH) group. The general form of a combustion reaction is: CxHy + O2 = CO2 + H2O

When fuels other than hydrocarbons and alcohols burn in oxygen, these reactions are also classified as combustion. For example, magnesium will burn in oxygen to form magnesium oxide. This type of reaction could also be classified as a synthesis reaction: 2Mg + O2 = 2MgO

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Thursday, February 11 2016