In the reaction of methane gas (CH4) with oxygen in a Bunsen Burner you can vary the ratio of methane to oxygen, and produce three different carbon-containing products as a result of the either complete or incomplete combustion of the methane: black soot (very fine particles of elemental carbon), CO2(g) and CO(g). Write three balanced thermochemical equations for the reaction of methane gas with oxygen one for each of the carbon products shown, the other product in each reaction will be water vapor. Why, if the oxygen supply is adequate, i.e., in the correct stoichiometric ratio, is CO2(g) the predominant product that forms?
Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry can be considered as a branch of thermodynamics that deals with the connections between warmth, work, and various types of energy, formed because of different synthetic and actual cycles. Thermochemistry describes the energy changes that occur as a result of reactions or chemical changes in a substance.
Exergonic Reaction
The term exergonic is derived from the Greek word in which ‘ergon’ means work and exergonic means ‘work outside’. Exergonic reactions releases work energy. Exergonic reactions are different from exothermic reactions, the one that releases only heat energy during the course of the reaction. So, exothermic reaction is one type of exergonic reaction. Exergonic reaction releases work energy in different forms like heat, light or sound. For example, a glow stick releases light making that an exergonic reaction and not an exothermic reaction since no heat is released. Even endothermic reactions at very high temperature are exergonic.
In the reaction of methane gas (CH4) with oxygen in a Bunsen Burner you can vary the ratio of methane to oxygen, and produce three different carbon-containing products as a result of the either complete or incomplete combustion of the methane: black soot (very fine particles of elemental carbon), CO2(g) and CO(g).
- Write three balanced thermochemical equations for the reaction of methane gas with oxygen one for each of the carbon products shown, the other product in each reaction will be water vapor.
- Why, if the oxygen supply is adequate, i.e., in the correct stoichiometric ratio, is CO2(g) the predominant product that forms?
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