To classify the components of the chemical equation of the combustion of methane, we need to understand which substances are present at the beginning of the reaction (reactants) and which ones are produced as a result of the reaction (products).
The chemical equation for the combustion of methane is:
[tex]\[ CH_4 + 2 O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + 2 H_2O \][/tex]
Let's identify the reactants and products:
### Reactants:
- \( CH_4 \) (methane)
- \( O_2 \) (oxygen)
These substances are present before the reaction occurs and participate in the reaction.
### Products:
- \( CO_2 \) (carbon dioxide)
- \( H_2O \) (water)
These substances are produced as a result of the reaction.
To summarize, the classification of \( CH_4 \) in terms of reactants or products is as follows:
- \( CH_4 \) is a reactant.
Therefore, since [tex]\( CH_4 \)[/tex] is involved before the reaction and undergoes a transformation, it belongs to the reactants category.
