The Combustion Reaction of Methane

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 20 views

Introduction

Chemical reactions are the foundation of chemistry, and understanding the laws that govern these reactions is crucial for predicting their outcomes. Two fundamental laws that govern chemical reactions are the laws of conservation of mass and energy. In this article, we will explore how the combustion reaction of methane (CH4) follows these laws.

The Combustion Reaction of Methane

The combustion reaction of methane is a common example of a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. The reaction is as follows:

${ CH_4 + 2O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + 2H_2O + 50.1 \, \text{kJ/g} }$

In this reaction, methane (CH4) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The reaction also releases 50.1 kJ/g of energy.

Law of Conservation of Mass

The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. This means that the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.

In the combustion reaction of methane, the total mass of the reactants is:

1 mole of CH4 (molar mass = 16 g/mol)
2 moles of O2 (molar mass = 32 g/mol)

The total mass of the reactants is therefore:

16 g/mol + 2 x 32 g/mol = 80 g/mol

The total mass of the products is:

1 mole of CO2 (molar mass = 44 g/mol)
2 moles of H2O (molar mass = 18 g/mol)

The total mass of the products is therefore:

44 g/mol + 2 x 18 g/mol = 80 g/mol

As we can see, the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products, which demonstrates the law of conservation of mass.

Law of Conservation of Energy

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, only converted from one form to another. In the combustion reaction of methane, the energy released is in the form of heat.

The energy released in the reaction is given as 50.1 kJ/g. This means that for every gram of methane that reacts, 50.1 kJ of energy is released.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The first law of thermodynamics is a statement of the law of conservation of energy. It states that the change in energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system.

In the combustion reaction of methane, the energy released is in the form of heat, which is added to the system. The work done by the system is zero, since the reaction is occurring in a closed system.

Therefore, the change in energy of the system is equal to the heat added, which is 50.1 kJ/g.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system will always increase over time. Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness of a system.

In the combustion reaction of methane, the entropy of the system increases as the reactants are converted into products. This is because the products are more disordered than the reactants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the combustion reaction of methane follows the laws of conservation of mass and energy. The total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products, demonstrating the law of conservation of mass. The energy released in the reaction is in the form of heat, which demonstrates the law of conservation of energy.

The first law of thermodynamics states that the change in energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system. In the combustion reaction of methane, the energy released is in the form of heat, which is added to the system.

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system will always increase over time. In the combustion reaction of methane, the entropy of the system increases as the reactants are converted into products.

References

Atkins, P. W. (2010). Physical Chemistry. Oxford University Press.
Chang, R. (2010). Chemistry. McGraw-Hill.
Levine, I. N. (2012). Physical Chemistry. McGraw-Hill.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the conservation of mass and energy in combustion reactions.

Q: What is the law of conservation of mass?

A: The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. This means that the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.

Q: How does the law of conservation of mass apply to the combustion reaction of methane?

A: In the combustion reaction of methane, the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products. This demonstrates the law of conservation of mass.

Q: What is the law of conservation of energy?

A: The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, only converted from one form to another.

Q: How does the law of conservation of energy apply to the combustion reaction of methane?

A: In the combustion reaction of methane, the energy released is in the form of heat. This demonstrates the law of conservation of energy.

Q: What is the first law of thermodynamics?

A: The first law of thermodynamics is a statement of the law of conservation of energy. It states that the change in energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system.

Q: How does the first law of thermodynamics apply to the combustion reaction of methane?

A: In the combustion reaction of methane, the energy released is in the form of heat, which is added to the system. The work done by the system is zero, since the reaction is occurring in a closed system.

Q: What is the second law of thermodynamics?

A: The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system will always increase over time. Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness of a system.

Q: How does the second law of thermodynamics apply to the combustion reaction of methane?

A: In the combustion reaction of methane, the entropy of the system increases as the reactants are converted into products. This is because the products are more disordered than the reactants.

Q: What is the relationship between the law of conservation of mass and the law of conservation of energy?

A: The law of conservation of mass and the law of conservation of energy are two separate laws that govern chemical reactions. However, they are related in that the law of conservation of mass is a necessary condition for the law of conservation of energy to hold.

Q: Can you give an example of a chemical reaction that does not follow the law of conservation of mass?

A: Yes, a chemical reaction that does not follow the law of conservation of mass is the reaction of hydrogen gas with oxygen gas to form water:

${ 2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O }$

In this reaction, the total mass of the reactants is 4 g/mol (2 moles of H2) + 32 g/mol (1 mole of O2) = 36 g/mol. However, the total mass of the products is 36 g/mol (2 moles of H2O). This reaction does not follow the law of conservation of mass.

Q: Can you give an example of a chemical reaction that does not follow the law of conservation of energy?

A: Yes, a chemical reaction that does not follow the law of conservation of energy is the reaction of hydrogen gas with oxygen gas to form water:

${ 2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O }$

In this reaction, the energy released is zero, since the reaction is exothermic. However, the reaction is not a spontaneous reaction, since the energy required to initiate the reaction is greater than the energy released.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the law of conservation of mass and the law of conservation of energy are two fundamental laws that govern chemical reactions. The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, while the law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, only converted from one form to another.