ShmoopTube

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Here’s your Shmoop du jour, brought to you by chemical reactions, like the disappointment

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your bleach feels when you haven’t done the laundry in a while. [Man doing laundry]

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Here’s today’s question: What are the products of the reaction between

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methane gas (CH4) and oxygen?

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And here are your potential answers:

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Before we dive into this question, let's catch up with our friend Guy Smith. [Guy Smith jumps in through a window]

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We heard he’s become a spy or something.

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Let’s check in with him.

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Hm, looks like Special Agent Smith has gotten himself into an explosive situation…[Men point a gun at Agent Smith]

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Maybe he could use our help to escape.

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See those conveniently located methane tanks right next to that dangerous open flame? [Methane tanks near an open flame]

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…Any ideas, agent Smith?

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No?

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Okay…let's try again.

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What are the products of the reaction between methane gas (CH4) and oxygen?

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The methane molecule, CH4, is made up of only hydrogen and carbon atoms, which means it’s

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a – drum roll, please - hydrocarbon.

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Wonder how they came up with such a creative name.

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Hydrocarbons like to react with oxygen molecules in combustion reactions. [Fire burns away message and Agent Smith appears]

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That means the hydrocarbons burn, baby, burn.

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All combustion reactions have the same products: carbon dioxide, water… and a lot of heat.

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Hint, hint, Agent Smith.

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That means the answer to this problem is…

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You got it, choice (C).

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Now, Agent Smith, do you know what to do?

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Huh?

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Solving your problems with words instead of violence? [Agent Smith hands man with a gun a book]

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They must have updated the Spy Handbook.

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