What is the net energy released from the complete combustion of propane, given the specified bond energies?

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Study for the UCF CHM1020 Concepts in Chemistry Exam. Access flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your final exam!

To determine the net energy released from the complete combustion of propane, it's essential to analyze the bond energies involved in the reaction. The combustion of propane (C3H8) can be summarized by the following balanced equation:

[ C3H8 + 5O2 \rightarrow 3CO2 + 4H2O ]

To find the net energy change, we break this process into two main steps: the bond dissociation of the reactants and the bond formation of the products.

During combustion, the bonds in propane and oxygen are broken, requiring energy input. Then, new bonds are formed in the products (carbon dioxide and water), releasing energy. The total energy released (or absorbed) is calculated by subtracting the energy required to break the reactant bonds from the energy released when the product bonds are formed.

Using the specified bond energies, one can quantify the energy associated with each broken or formed bond:

  1. Calculate the energy required to break the necessary bonds in propane and the oxygen molecules. This will yield a positive value, reflecting energy consumption.

  2. Calculate the energy released when the bonds in carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) are formed. This energy release will have a negative value