What is the word equation for the combustion of methane?
Check the final answer first, then review the worked steps.
Answer
methane + oxygen $\rightarrow$ carbon dioxide + water
Step-by-step solution
- Identify the reactants: The problem states that "During complete combustion, a fuel reacts with oxygen." Methane is the fuel in question. Therefore, the reactants are methane and oxygen.
- Identify the products of complete combustion: Complete combustion of a hydrocarbon (like methane, which is CH$_4$) with oxygen always produces carbon dioxide and water.
- Formulate the word equation: Based on the reactants and products identified, the word equation for the combustion of methane is: Methane + Oxygen $\rightarrow$ Carbon Dioxide + Water.