- The provided reaction involves a hydrocarbon fuel reacting with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.
- Synthesis and decomposition do not apply because there are multiple reactants and multiple products.
- The reaction fits the definition of a combustion reaction perfectly.
- The correct classification is \(\boxed{\text{combustion}}\).
Explanation
- Analysis of the Chemical Reaction
The chemical equation given is \(C_{10}H_{8} + 12O_{2} \rightarrow 10CO_{2} + 4H_{2}O\). To classify this reaction, we first analyze its components. The reactants are naphthalene (\(C_{10}H_{8}\)) and oxygen (\(O_{2}\)), and the products are carbon dioxide (\(CO_{2}\)) and water (\(H_{2}O\)).
- Identifying the Reaction Type
Next, we compare the reaction to the standard definitions of chemical reaction types:
- Synthesis: A reaction where two or more substances combine to form a single substance (\(A + B \rightarrow C\)). This does not apply here because there are two products.
- Decomposition: A reaction where a single substance breaks down into two or more simpler substances (\(A \rightarrow B + C\)). This does not apply here because there are two reactants.
- Combustion: A reaction where a fuel (usually a hydrocarbon) reacts with oxygen (\(O_{2}\)) to produce carbon dioxide (\(CO_{2}\)) and water (\(H_{2}O\)). The general form is \(C_xH_y + (x + y/4)O_2 \rightarrow xCO_2 + (y/2)H_2O\). Comparing our equation \(C_{10}H_{8} + 12O_{2} \rightarrow 10CO_{2} + 4H_{2}O\), we see that naphthalene (\(C_{10}H_{8}\)) acts as the fuel reacting with oxygen to yield carbon dioxide and water. Thus, this is a combustion reaction.
- Conclusion
Based on the definitions, the reaction is identified as a combustion reaction. Therefore, the only applicable classification among the choices is combustion. The final classification is \(\boxed{\text{combustion}}\).
Examples
Combustion reactions are essential in everyday life. For instance, the burning of gasoline in a car engine is a combustion reaction that converts the chemical energy stored in fuel into mechanical energy, allowing the vehicle to move. Similarly, burning wood in a fireplace is a combustion process that releases heat and light, warming our homes. Understanding these reactions helps us manage energy sources safely and efficiently.