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What does the chemical equation CH4 + O2 represent?

A. A chemical reaction that produces methane (CH4).
B. A chemical reaction involving oxygen (O2).
C. The combustion of methane to produce carbon dioxide and water.
D. A chemical equation that violates the law of conservation of mass.

2 Answers

6 votes

Final answer:

The chemical equation CH4 + O2 represents a chemical reaction involving methane and oxygen. In this reaction, methane and oxygen react to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical equation CH4 + O2 represents a chemical reaction involving methane (CH4) and oxygen (O2).

In this reaction, methane and oxygen react to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

The balanced equation for this reaction is:

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

User Qiubit
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Final answer:

The chemical equation CH₄ + O₂ represents C. The combustion of methane to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Step-by-step explanation:

When methane (CH₄) reacts with oxygen (O₂), the carbon and hydrogen bonds in methane break, and new bonds form between carbon and oxygen, and hydrogen and oxygen. The resulting products are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).

This is a combustion reaction because it involves the reaction of methane with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. The balanced equation for the reaction is:

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

Therefore the correct answer is C. The combustion of methane to produce carbon dioxide and water.

User Ederwander
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