Combustion of Methane

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

Descripción general

Methane burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. This is the primary reaction in natural gas combustion, releasing significant thermal energy. Natural gas is approximately 95% methane and is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, producing the least CO2 per unit of energy.

Participantes

Rol Sustancia Coeficiente Estado
Reactivo Methane CH₄ 1 (g)
Reactivo Oxygen O 2 (g)
Producto Carbon Dioxide CO₂ 1 (g)
Producto Water H₂O 2 (l)

Ejemplo cotidiano

Natural gas stoves and furnaces burn methane for heating and cooking in millions of homes worldwide.

Importancia industrial

La combustión del gas natural proporciona aproximadamente el 24 % de la energía global. Las centrales eléctricas con turbinas de gas utilizan esta reacción para generar electricidad con mayor eficiencia que el carbón.

Propiedades

Tipo
Combustion
Reversible
No
Energía
Exotérmico
ΔH
-890,4 kJ/mol

Reacciones relacionadas

Combustion of Carbon Monoxide Combustion of Ethane Combustion of Ethylene Combustion of Glycerol Combustion of Methanol Combustion of Propane Combustion of Ethanol Combustion of Phenol Combustion of Naphthalene Combustion of Benzene

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Combustion of Methane?
The balanced equation is: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O.
What type of reaction is Combustion of Methane?
Combustion of Methane is a combustion reaction.
Is Combustion of Methane exothermic or endothermic?
Combustion of Methane is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -890.4 kJ/mol.