What type of reaction is C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O?

What type of reaction is C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O?

• A. Addition
• B. Complete Combustion
• C. Incomplete Combustion
• D. Substitution

Answer: (B)

Combustion in oxygen where the fuel ends up as fully oxidized products. In this reaction ethene reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, with no carbon monoxide or solid carbon shown. That pattern—fuel + O2 turning into CO2 and H2O—is the hallmark of complete combustion, which occurs when there is enough oxygen for full oxidation. If oxygen were limited, incomplete combustion would yield CO or even carbon (soot) instead. The other options don’t describe this process: addition would combine substances to a single product, and substitution isn’t how a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen.

Combustion in oxygen where the fuel ends up as fully oxidized products. In this reaction ethene reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, with no carbon monoxide or solid carbon shown. That pattern—fuel + O2 turning into CO2 and H2O—is the hallmark of complete combustion, which occurs when there is enough oxygen for full oxidation. If oxygen were limited, incomplete combustion would yield CO or even carbon (soot) instead. The other options don’t describe this process: addition would combine substances to a single product, and substitution isn’t how a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen.