Question

Which species is oxidized in this reaction: CH₄(g) + 2 O₂(g) CO₂(g) + 2 H₂O(l).

a) CH₄(g)
b) O₂(g)
c) CO₂(g)
d) H₂O(l)

Answer 1

The species that is oxidized in the reaction CH₄(g) + 2 O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2 H₂O(l) is CH₄(g), as its oxidation state increases from -4 to +4, which is characteristic of a redox combustion reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the chemical reaction CH₄(g) + 2 O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2 H₂O(l), the species that is oxidized is CH₄(g). During the combustion process, the carbon in methane (CH₄) is oxidized as its oxidation state increases from -4 in CH₄ to +4 in CO₂.

Oxygen (O₂) is reduced as its oxidation state decreases from 0 in O₂ to -2 in both CO₂ and H₂O. Therefore, methane (CH₄) is the reducing agent that gets oxidized, and oxygen (O₂) is the oxidizing agent that gets reduced. This type of reaction is a classic example of a redox reaction specifically a combustion reaction.