Chemistry – Chemical reactions - Redox | e-Consult
Chemical reactions - Redox (1 questions)
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The balanced equation is: CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)
This is a redox reaction.
In methane (CH4), the carbon has an oxidation state of -4 and the hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1. In carbon dioxide (CO2), the carbon has an oxidation state of +4 and the oxygen has an oxidation state of -2. This shows that carbon is gaining oxygen (its oxidation state increases from -4 to +4).
In oxygen (O2), the oxygen has an oxidation state of 0. This shows that oxygen is losing electrons (and effectively gaining oxygen atoms).
The change in oxidation states confirms that oxygen is transferred during the reaction, making it a redox process.