I have a question about incomplete combustions. I think that you can have carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water and carbon or some combination of these in the products of incomplete combustions. Is this right? For Pentane, would it be correct to show one possible equation as 2C5H12+13O2-->12H2O+6O2+2C0+2C? thanks!

Under controlled conditions I suppose it may be possible to have combinations; however, it is highly unlikely to result in the equation you wrote. First, it isn't balanced; second you have oxygen showing on BOTH sides of the equation. It is likely that CO and CO2 + H2O could co-exist as products and they do in various circumstances but I think uncombusted carbon is not likely. If there is enough oxygen present to break the C-H bonds to produce water then it is most likely that the C would be oxidized to CO at least and to CO2/CO mixture depending upon the amount of O2.

Thanks. Is there any way to tackle these incomplete combustion equations, any form to follow? I'd really appreciate it since I'm clearly on the wrong track.

It's difficult to know how to answer a question that is so broad. Tackle for what? What do you want to accomplish? Here is the CO equation under incomplete combustion.

2C5H12 + 11 O2 ==> 10CO + 12H2O

Under complete combustion:
C5H12 + 8O2 ==> 5CO2 + 6H2O

Sorry for pestering you on this but I really appreciate your help. The way I first did the equation, I had too many products. My question is when I do these should the products only be in the form of either a)CO and H2O or B)C and H2O? So if I set up the products to have either of these combinations and then I balance will I have done it properly. thanks again.

You can have three different chemical equations going on at the same time:

C5H12 + 8O2 ==> 5CO2 + 6H2O
2C5H12 + 11 O2 ==> 10CO + 12H2O
C5H12 + 3O2 ==> 5C + 6H2O
The relative amounts of C5H12 undergoing each reaction simultaneously varies depending on the availability of O2 and and rate of mixing of C5H12 with O2.

Thanks so much!

Yes, your understanding of incomplete combustion is correct. Incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient oxygen available during the burning process. As a result, you may have a combination of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and carbon (C) in the products.

Regarding your equation for incomplete combustion of pentane (C5H12), it seems incomplete. Let's go through the process of balancing the equation correctly:

The balanced equation for the complete combustion of pentane is:
C5H12 + 8O2 → 5CO2 + 6H2O

Now, for incomplete combustion, let's consider the possibilities:

1. Incomplete Combustion without Carbon Monoxide:
C5H12 + 10O2 → 5CO2 + 6H2O

2. Incomplete Combustion with Carbon Monoxide and Elemental Carbon:
C5H12 + 9O2 → 5CO + 6H2O + C

It's important to note that the products may vary based on the conditions and the availability of oxygen during the combustion process. Hence, it's possible to have different combinations of CO, CO2, H2O, and C in the products.

In the first equation, you wrote 2C0, but it should be CO (carbon monoxide). Also, you added 2C (elemental carbon), which is correct. However, you should balance the equation properly to represent the stoichiometric coefficients.

So, for pentane, one possible equation for incomplete combustion could be:
C5H12 + 9O2 → 5CO + 6H2O + C