A major component of gasoline is octane (C8H8). When liquid octane is burned in air it reacts with oxygen (O2) gas to produce "0.050 mol" carbon dioxide gas and water vapor. Calculate the moles of octane needed to produce of carbon dioxide.

0.0063 mol

Explanation:

Step 1: Write the balanced combustion equation

C₈H₁₈(l) + 12.5 O₂(g) ⇒ 8 CO₂(g) + 9 H₂O(g)

Step 2: Establish the appropriate molar ratio

According to the balanced equation, the molar ratio of C₈H₁₈ to CO₂ is 1:8.

Step 3: Calculate the number of moles of C₈H₁₈ needed to produce 0.050 moles of CO₂

0.050 mol CO₂ × 1 mol C₈H₁₈/8 mol CO₂ = 0.0063 mol C₈H₁₈