See image — Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Identify the hybridization of carbon in ethane (reactant). Ethane is C2H6, where each carbon forms 4 single bonds (3 C-H bonds and 1 C-C bond). Four sigma bonds around each carbon means sp^3 hybridization. Step 2: Write the combustion reaction of ethane. The complete combustion of ethane produces carbon dioxide and water: 2C2H6 + 7O2 → 4CO2 + 6H2O. Step 3: Identify the hybridization of carbon in the product CO2. In carbon dioxide (O=C=O), carbon forms two double bonds. Each double bond consists of one sigma and one pi bond. Carbon uses sp hybridization (two sigma bonds in a linear arrangement, with two pi bonds using the remaining p orbitals). Step 4: Determine the change. Carbon starts as sp^3 (in ethane) and ends as sp (in CO2). This corresponds to option (b) sp^3 to sp. Step 5: Eliminate other options. Option (a) sp^2 to sp^3 is incorrect because ethane carbon is sp^3, not sp^2. Option (c) sp to sp^3 reverses the actual change. Option (d) sp^2 to sp^2 is incorrect for both reactant and product hybridizations. Therefore, the correct answer is B.