Question

If 4.3 moles of oxygen (O2) are combusted, how many moles of methane (CH4) will be required?

A) 17.2
B) 8.6
C) 4.3
D) 2.15

Answer 1

To find the number of moles of methane needed for the combustion of 4.3 moles of oxygen, we use the stoichiometry of the balanced chemical equation. The answer is 2.15 moles of CH4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking about the amount of methane (CH4) that would be required to combust with a given amount of oxygen (O2) within a chemical reaction. The balanced equation for the combustion of methane is:

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

From the balanced equation, we can see that one mole of methane reacts with two moles of oxygen. If 4.3 moles of oxygen are used in the combustion, we would divide that amount by two to find the number of moles of methane needed, because it requires twice the amount of oxygen relative to methane. Therefore, the answer is:

4.3 moles O2 × (1 mole CH4 / 2 moles O2) = 2.15 moles CH4

So the correct answer to the question, "If 4.3 moles of oxygen (O2) are combusted, how many moles of methane (CH4) will be required?" is D) 2.15.