The complete combustion of carbon is represented by the balanced equation C + O2 = ?

The complete combustion of carbon involves the reaction of carbon (C) with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) as the primary product. This process is exothermic, meaning it releases heat. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

C + O2 → CO2 + heat

In this reaction, carbon fully oxidizes, resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide. The release of heat is a significant aspect of complete combustion, as it indicates that energy is produced during the reaction. This is important in various applications, such as heating and energy generation.

The formation of carbon monoxide (CO) would indicate incomplete combustion, which happens when there is insufficient oxygen for the carbon to fully oxidize. Therefore, while carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion, it is not relevant in this context, which strictly addresses complete combustion.

Hence, the correct answer encapsulates both the product formed (carbon dioxide) and the by-product (heat) of complete combustion, thereby accurately representing the overall process.