Which of the following shows an accurate combustion reaction?

A. [tex] Cu + O_2 \rightarrow CuO_2 [/tex]

B. [tex] 2 CH_4 + O_2 \rightarrow 2 CH_3OH [/tex]

C. [tex] Mg + H_2O \rightarrow MgO + H_2 [/tex]

D. [tex] SO + H_2O \rightarrow SO_2 + H_2 [/tex]



Answer :

Let's analyze each of the provided reactions to determine which one represents an accurate combustion reaction.

1. [tex]\( Cu + O_2 \rightarrow CuO_2 \)[/tex]
- This equation shows a reaction between copper (Cu) and oxygen (O[tex]\(_2\)[/tex]), suggesting the formation of copper oxide (CuO[tex]\(_2\)[/tex]). However, this is not a combustion reaction.
- Combustion reactions typically involve hydrocarbons reacting with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

2. [tex]\( 2 CH_4 + O_2 \rightarrow 2 CH_3OH \)[/tex]
- This equation attempts to show methane ([tex]\(CH_4\)[/tex]) reacting with oxygen ([tex]\(O_2\)[/tex]) to produce methanol ([tex]\(CH_3OH\)[/tex]).
- This is not a balanced combustion reaction. In a balanced combustion reaction, hydrocarbons should fully react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide ([tex]\(CO_2\)[/tex]) and water ([tex]\(H_2O\)[/tex]).

3. [tex]\( Mg + H_2O \rightarrow MgO + H_2 \)[/tex]
- This reaction shows magnesium (Mg) reacting with water (H2O) to produce magnesium oxide (MgO) and hydrogen gas ([tex]\(H_2\)[/tex]).
- This is a single-displacement reaction, not a combustion reaction.

4. [tex]\( SO + H_2O \rightarrow SO_2 + H_2 \)[/tex]
- This reaction involves the combination of sulfur monoxide (SO) and water (H_2O) to produce sulfur dioxide (SO_2) and hydrogen gas (H_2).
- This is also not a combustion reaction.

Given that a proper combustion reaction is typically:
[tex]\[ C_xH_y + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O \][/tex]
none of the provided reactions fit the definition of an accurate combustion reaction.

Thus, the accurate conclusion is that none of the given chemical equations accurately represent a combustion reaction.