Work done in a chemical reaction, W=ΔngRT
where, Δng = number of moles of gaseous products - number of moles of gaseous reactants.
Combustion of ethane is- C2H6(g)+27O2(g)→2CO2(g)+3H2O(l) ∴ng=2−4.5=−2.5 W=(2.5mol)(8.314JK−1mol−1)×300K =6235.5kJ=6.2355J
Now , 1 mole of C2H6=30gm of C2H6=6.2355kJ
Work done for combustion of 30gm of C2H6=6.2355kJ ∴ Work done for combustion of 90gm of C2H6 =306.2355×90 =18.7065kJ=18.71kJ