Ethane
Ethane is an alkane with the chemical formula C2H6. As a hydrocarbon, it can undergo hydrocarbon combustion which gives off heat. Ethane is one of the hydrocarbon components of natural gas, which is a type of fossil fuel.[2] In its purest form, ethane is a colourless, odourless substance. This gas is often put under enough pressure to turn into a liquid.
Properties
Below is a table of some basic properties of ethane.
| Chemical formula | C2H6 |
| Molar mass | 30.1 grams/mole |
| Energy density | 53.2 MJ/kg [3] |
| Melting Point | -183oC[4] |
| Boiling Point | -89oC[4] |
Combustion Reaction
Ethane undergoes hydrocarbon combustion, combining with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. The balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of ethane is:[5]
The hydrocarbon combustion reaction releases heat energy and is an example of an exothermic reaction. The reaction also has a negative enthalpy change (ΔH) value.
For Further Reading
- Chemical energy
- Chemical bond
- Combustion
- Primary energy
- Energy conversion technology
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References
- ↑ "Ethane-3D-vdW". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ethane-3D-vdW.png#mediaviewer/File:Ethane-3D-vdW.png
- ↑ “NATURAL GAS FAQs,” Pacific Northern Gas RSS. [Online]. Available: http://www.png.ca/natural-gas-faqs/. [Accessed: 24-May-2017]
- ↑ Glenn Elert. (2015). The Physics Hypertextbook - Chemical Potential Energy [Online]. Available: http://physics.info/energy-chemical/ [February 16, 2015].
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Charles E. Ophardt. (2003). Virtual Chembook - Hydrocarbon Boiling Points [Online]. Available: http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/501hcboilingpts.html [February 16,2015].
- ↑ Dr. Colin France. (2014). Products from Oil - The Combustion of Hydrocarbons [Online]. Available: http://www.gcsescience.com/o30.htm [February 16, 2015].
