For an internal combustion engine to move a vehicle down the road ,it must convert the energy stored in the fuel into mechanical energy to drive the wheels. In your car, the distributor and battery provide this starting energy by creating an electrical "spark", which helps in combustion of fuels like gasoline. Below is the reaction depicting complete combustion of gasoline in full supply of air:
`2C_8 H_(18)(l) +25 O_(2) (g) to 16 'x' `
Identify the types of chemical reaction occurring during the combustion of fuel

Options

A. Oxidation & Endothermic reaction
B. Decomposition & Exothermic reaction
C. Oxidation & Exothermic reaction
D. Combination & Endothermic reaction

Answer

To identify the types of chemical reactions occurring during the combustion of fuel, we can analyze the given reaction:

**Given Reaction:**
\[ 2C_8H_{18}(l) + 25O_2(g) \rightarrow 16CO_2(g) + 18H_2O(l) + \text{heat energy} \]

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants and Products:**
- The reactants are octane (\(C_8H_{18}\)) and oxygen (\(O_2\)).
- The products are carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)), water (\(H_2O\)), and heat energy.

2. **Determine the Type of Reaction:**
- This reaction involves the combination of a hydrocarbon (octane) with oxygen, leading to the formation of carbon dioxide and water.
- This indicates that it is a **combustion reaction**.

3. **Analyze the Energy Change:**
- The reaction releases heat energy, indicating that it is an **exothermic reaction**. In exothermic reactions, energy is released to the surroundings.

4. **Identify Oxidation:**
- In this reaction, the carbon in octane is oxidized as it combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. The oxidation state of carbon increases from -3 in \(C_8H_{18}\) to +4 in \(CO_2\).
- Therefore, this reaction also involves **oxidation**.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Since the reaction is a combustion reaction that releases energy and involves oxidation, we conclude that the types of chemical reactions occurring during the combustion of fuel are:
- **Oxidation and exothermic reaction.**

### Final Answer:
**C. Oxidation and exothermic reaction**

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