Question

What is this equation balanced: Octane reacts with oxygen to form Carbon dioxide and water?

Answer 1

This is the combustion reaction for octane, `C_8H_18`., a volatile and very flammable alkane that is a component of gasoline.

The balanced chemical reaction is

`2C_8H_18 + 25O_2 -> 16CO_2 + 18H_2O`

Here's a nice diagram of this reaction I've found on a French forum

The chemical reaction described is

`C_8H_18 + 12.5O_2 -> 8CO_2 + 9H_2O`