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' `
‘Although nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, it does not combustion’. Identify the correct reason for this statement.

Options

A. Nitrogen is a reactive gas
B. Nitrogen is an inert gas
C. Nitrogen is an explosive gas
D. Only hydrocarbons can take part in combustion

Answer

To answer the question regarding why nitrogen does not participate in combustion, we can break it down step by step:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Combustion**:
- Combustion is a chemical reaction where a substance (usually a hydrocarbon) reacts with oxygen to produce heat and light. The products of complete combustion of hydrocarbons are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).

2. **Identifying the Role of Nitrogen**:
- In the atmosphere, nitrogen (N₂) is the most abundant gas. However, it does not participate in combustion reactions.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- The options provided are:
A. Nitrogen is a reactive gas.
B. Nitrogen is an inert gas.
C. Nitrogen is an explosive gas.
D. Only hydrocarbons can take part in combustion.
E. Nitrogen is a reactive gas.
- We need to determine which option correctly explains why nitrogen does not take part in combustion.

4. **Evaluating the Correct Option**:
- Option A and E state that nitrogen is a reactive gas, which is incorrect since nitrogen does not readily react under normal conditions.
- Option C states that nitrogen is an explosive gas, which is also incorrect.
- Option D suggests that only hydrocarbons can take part in combustion, which is misleading because it implies that other gases like oxygen are excluded.
- Option B states that nitrogen is an inert gas, which is correct. Inert gases do not react easily with other substances.

5. **Explaining the Inert Nature of Nitrogen**:
- Nitrogen gas (N₂) has a strong triple bond between the nitrogen atoms (N≡N). This bond requires a significant amount of energy to break, making nitrogen relatively unreactive or inert under standard conditions.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct reason for nitrogen's lack of participation in combustion is that it is an inert gas (Option B).

### Final Answer:
**B. Nitrogen is an inert gas.**