Consider the following reaction: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O
Which of the following about the reaction given above is/are correct ?
- 1. Carbon is oxidized.
- 2. Hydrogen is oxidized.
- 3. Hydrogen is reduced.
- 4. Carbon is reduced.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2017
– In CH₄: Hydrogen is +1, so Carbon is -4 (since CH₄ is neutral).
– In O₂: Oxygen is 0 (elemental form).
– In CO₂: Oxygen is -2, so Carbon is +4 (since CO₂ is neutral).
– In H₂O: Hydrogen is +1, so Oxygen is -2 (since H₂O is neutral).
Carbon’s oxidation state changes from -4 to +4 (increase), so Carbon is oxidized.
Hydrogen’s oxidation state remains +1 (no change), so Hydrogen is neither oxidized nor reduced.
Oxygen’s oxidation state changes from 0 to -2 (decrease), so Oxygen is reduced.