Textbook Question
(a) What is the difference between a CFC and an HFC?
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Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment
Chapter 18, Problem 69b
Natural gas consists primarily of methane, CH4(g). (b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the incomplete combustion of methane to product CO(g) as the only carbon-containg product.
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Identify the reactants and products involved in the incomplete combustion of methane. The reactants are methane (CH_4) and oxygen (O_2), and the products are carbon monoxide (CO) and water (H_2O).
Write the unbalanced chemical equation for the reaction: CH_4 + O_2 -> CO + H_2O.
Balance the carbon atoms first. There is one carbon atom in CH_4 and one in CO, so the carbon atoms are already balanced.
Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. There are four hydrogen atoms in CH_4, so you need two H_2O molecules to balance the hydrogen: CH_4 + O_2 -> CO + 2H_2O.
Finally, balance the oxygen atoms. There are two oxygen atoms in CO and two in 2H_2O, totaling four oxygen atoms needed on the product side. Therefore, you need two O_2 molecules on the reactant side: CH_4 + 2O_2 -> CO + 2H_2O.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Combustion Reactions
Combustion reactions involve the reaction of a substance with oxygen, producing heat and light. Incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient oxygen, leading to the formation of carbon monoxide (CO) instead of carbon dioxide (CO2). Understanding the difference between complete and incomplete combustion is crucial for predicting the products of the reaction.
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Combustion Apparatus
Balancing Chemical Equations
Balancing chemical equations is essential to ensure that the law of conservation of mass is upheld, meaning the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation. This involves adjusting coefficients in front of the reactants and products to achieve balance. Mastery of this skill is necessary for accurately representing chemical reactions.
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Stoichiometry
Stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows chemists to calculate the amounts of substances consumed and produced in a reaction. In the context of the incomplete combustion of methane, stoichiometry helps determine the correct ratios of methane and oxygen needed to produce carbon monoxide.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Natural gas consists primarily of methane, CH4(g). (a) Write balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of methane to produce CO2(g) as the only carbon-containing product.
Textbook Question
One of the possible consequences of climate change is an increase in the temperature of ocean water. The oceans serve as a 'sink' for CO2 by dissolving large amounts of it.
(a) The figure below shows the solubility of CO2 in water as a function of temperature. Does CO2 behave more or less similarly to other gases in this respect?
Textbook Question
The rate of solar energy striking Earth averages 168 watts per square meter. The rate of energy radiated from Earth's surface averages 390 watts per square meter. Comparing these numbers, one might expect that the planet would cool quickly, yet it does not. Why not?
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Textbook Question
The solar power striking Earth every day averages 168 watts per square meter. The highest ever recorded electrical power usage in New York City was 13,200 MW. A record established in July of 2013. Considering that present technology for solar energy conversion is about 10% efficient, from how many square meters of land must sunlight be collected in order to provide this peak power? (For compar- ison, the total area of New York City is 830 km2.)
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