Jump to content

Methane + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water! HOW DOES THAT WORK?????


Encrypted

Recommended Posts

Hello,

 

I have a question, in a book i read that CH4 + O2 = CO2 + H20. Now I notice that there are 3 oxygen oxygen in the reactants and only three are there in the products. From where did that extra molecule come? I also notice that there are 4 hydrogen atoms in the reactans and only two in the products...did those hydrogen atoms "rearrange" themseleves to form oxygen molecules???

 

What did happen???

 

Encrypted

Link to comment
Share on other sites

this should have gone in the chem section, and i take it will be moved. anyway,

methane isn't [math]CH_1[/math]

it's [math]CH_4[/math]

 

it's actually a simple process; the hydrogen is bonded to the carbon in a barely polar bond (according to pauling the electronegativity difference is 0.2). meanwhile, oxygen, the 2nd most electronegative element (to fluorine according to pauling, allred-rochow and clemente) is floating around all diatomic waiting to oxidize things. it picks its target and attacks, displacing the hydrogen in methane and oxidizing it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ahhh.... Excellent!

 

I get this now.

 

So if there was only one methane molecule and only one oxygen molecule, there would be no combustion! We need more than one oxygen molecule!

 

This was what we were being taught in Science 09. But the teacher wouldn't answer my question saying it was too advanced for my level:mad:. Anyways, Thanks a lot! I knew i count on you guys!:D

 

Encrypted

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.