The equation for the combustion of ethane (C2 H6) is 2 C2 H6(g)+7 O2(g) ⟶4 CO2(g)+6 H2 O(l) Expl

step 1 Okay, so it's unlikely that this equation represents the elementary step of the reaction because

The equation for the combustion of ethane (C2 H6) is 2 C2...

The equation for the combustion of ethane $\left(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\right)$ is $$2 \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}(g)+7 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 4 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+6 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)$$ Explain why it is unlikely that this equation also represents the elementary step for the reaction.

The equation for the combustion of ethane $\left(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\right)$ is
$$2 \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}(g)+7 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 4 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+6 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)$$
Explain why it is unlikely that this equation also represents the elementary step for the reaction.

Key Concepts

Collision Theory

Collision theory explains that chemical reactions occur when reactant molecules collide with sufficient energy and proper orientation. The probability of eight or nine molecules colliding simultaneously in the specific arrangement required for a single-step reaction is extremely small, indicating that the combustion reaction is more likely to proceed through a series of simpler, more probable elementary steps.

Reaction Mechanism

A reaction mechanism represents the sequence of individual elementary steps that lead to an overall chemical transformation. Complex reactions like combustion typically proceed via multiple sequential steps that involve reactive intermediates and free radicals, rather than a single elementary step with complex stoichiometry.

Elementary Reaction

An elementary reaction is a single-step process during which reactants directly form products in one collision event, and its stoichiometry reflects the actual molecularity of that collision. Reactions that involve the simultaneous collision of many molecules are statistically unlikely under normal conditions, making a multi-molecule combustion step implausible as an elementary reaction.

Molecularity

Molecularity refers to the number of reacting species involved in an elementary step. Elementary reactions are typically unimolecular or bimolecular (and occasionally termolecular) because the likelihood of a simultaneous collision of three or more molecules is very low, which contradicts the eight or nine species suggested by the overall combustion equation.

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