N the reaction methane + oxygen turns into carbon dioxide + water, the methane and oxygen are called
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
In the reaction where methane (CH₄) and oxygen (O₂) react to form carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), methane and oxygen are called the reactants.
Explanation:
A chemical reaction typically involves the transformation of reactants into products. In this case, methane (CH₄) and oxygen (O₂) are the substances that undergo a chemical change when they react with each other.
- Methane (CH₄) is a simple hydrocarbon and is the main ingredient in natural gas. It is considered a fuel and can combust in the presence of oxygen, releasing energy, carbon dioxide, and water as products. In this reaction, methane is the fuel that undergoes combustion.
- Oxygen (O₂) is a diatomic molecule and is essential for combustion reactions. It acts as the oxidizing agent. Oxygen molecules provide the necessary element (oxygen) for the combustion process, allowing methane to release energy by reacting with it.
The products of this combustion reaction are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), both of which are produced as a result of the energy released during the reaction.
In summary, reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction that undergo change to form new substances, and in this case, methane and oxygen are the reactants. The term “reactants” is used universally to describe substances that are consumed in the course of a chemical transformation.
