Which of the following are the typical products formed when a hydrocarbon undergoes complete combustion?

• A. CO and H_2
• B. C and H_2O
• C. CO_2 and H_2O
• D. CO_2 and O_2

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that complete combustion of a hydrocarbon means the hydrocarbon reacts fully with oxygen (O_2) to produce the most oxidized forms of carbon and hydrogen.
2. Recall that hydrocarbons contain carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms, and during complete combustion, carbon is converted to carbon dioxide (CO_2) and hydrogen is converted to water (H_2O).
3. Recognize that incomplete combustion can produce carbon monoxide (CO) or even carbon (C) (soot), but these are not typical products of complete combustion.
4. Write the general equation for complete combustion of a hydrocarbon C_xH_y: \(\mathrm{C_xH_y + \left(x + \frac{y}{4}\right) O_2 \rightarrow x CO_2 + \frac{y}{2} H_2O}\)
5. Conclude that the typical products of complete combustion are carbon dioxide (CO_2) and water (H_2O), not carbon monoxide (CO), elemental carbon (C), or oxygen (O_2).