Based in their molar enthalpies of combustion, the burning of 5.50 g of methane (CH4) would release more heat than the burning of 5.50 g propane (C3H8).
The molar enthalpy of combustion is the amount of heat evolved when one mole of a substance is completely burnt in oxygen.
The molar enthalpy of combustion of propane is -2043 kJ/mol
The molar enthalpy of combustion of methane is -890 kJ/mol
Molar mass of propane = 44.0 g
Molar mass of methane = 16.0 g
Moles of propane in 5.50 g = 5.5/44 = 0.125 moles
Moles of methane in 5.50 g = 5.5/16 = 0.34375 moles
Heat released by 0.125 moles of propane = -2043 × 0.125 = -255.4 kJ
Heat released by 0.125 moles of methane = -890 × 0.34375 = -305.9 kJ
Therefore, the burning of 5.50 g of methane (CH4) would release more heat than the burning of 5.50 g propane (C3H8).
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