\(C _{4} H _{2}+90_{2} \rightarrow 6 CO _{2}+6 H _{2} O\). The hydrocarbon, \(C _{x} H _{2}\), in the reaction above is most likely ____________
A. an alkane B. a benzene C. an alkene D. an alkyne
Correct Answer: C
Explanation
\(C _{x} H _{y}+9 O _{2} \rightarrow 6 CO _{2}+6 H _{2} O\) The general form of the equation is \(C _{x} H _{y}+\left(x+\frac{y}{4}\right) x \rightarrow x CO _{2}+\frac{y}{2} H _{2} O\)y balancing the equation, \(x=6, y / 2=6\), so that the hydrocarbon is \(C _{6} H _{12}\), an alkene \(\left( C _{ n } H _{2 n }\right)\)
