Natural gas contains methane (CH₄). Methane is a fuel. Methane burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. The diagram below represents the reaction.
(a) C... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Natural gas contains methane (CH₄) - Junior Cycle Science - Question 4 - 2019
Step 1
Count the number of each type of atom in the products
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Answer
Element
Type of atom
Number of atoms in reactants
Number of atoms in products
Carbon
Atom
1
1
Hydrogen
Atom
4
4
Oxygen
Atom
4
4
Step 2
Mass is conserved during this reaction. What evidence is there for this?
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Answer
The law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. In this reaction, the total number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactants and products side. Therefore, the mass is conserved, indicating that all atoms are accounted for.
Step 3
Describe one difference between a physical change and a chemical change.
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Answer
A physical change involves a change in form or appearance of a substance without forming a new substance, such as ice melting into water. In contrast, a chemical change results in the formation of new substances, as seen in the burning of methane, which produces carbon dioxide and water.
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