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Multiple Choice
Oxidation of which of the following molecules will produce the largest amount of energy?
A
Methane (CH4)
B
Methanol (CH3OH)
C
Formic acid (HCOOH)
D
Formaldehyde (CH2O)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the energy released during oxidation is related to the number of electrons transferred and the change in oxidation state of carbon atoms in the molecule.
Identify the oxidation states of carbon in each molecule: Methane (CH4), Methanol (CH3OH), Formic acid (HCOOH), and Formaldehyde (CH2O).
Calculate the change in oxidation state for carbon when each molecule is fully oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO2).
Compare the changes in oxidation states: The greater the change, the more energy is released during oxidation.
Determine which molecule has the largest change in oxidation state, indicating it will release the most energy upon oxidation.