oxygen will react with the metal copper it will also react with the nonmetallic compound butane (c4h10) which ofthese reactions is combustion reaction?explain your answer.
Combustion rxn's produce carbon dioxide and water for their products.
Alison is nearly correct.
The reaction of oxygen with copper metal we would class as oxidation as the only products formed are oxides of copper, depending on the conditions. The reaction is relatively slow and while the reaction is exothermic, no light is given out on a small scale. The important thing here is that the copper under goes oxidation, i.e. it loses electron(s).
The reaction of oxygen with butane is combustion as it is rapid, heat and light are both given out.
To determine which reaction is a combustion reaction, we need to understand what a combustion reaction is.
A combustion reaction is a type of chemical reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen gas (O2) to produce heat, light, and usually a flame. Combustion reactions are typically exothermic, meaning they release energy in the form of heat.
Let's analyze the reactions you mentioned:
1. Oxygen reacts with copper:
2Cu + O2 → 2CuO
In this reaction, oxygen reacts with copper to form copper oxide (CuO). This is not a combustion reaction because it does not produce heat, light, or a flame. It is a simple oxidation reaction.
2. Oxygen reacts with butane (C4H10):
2C4H10 + 13O2 → 8CO2 + 10H2O
In this reaction, oxygen reacts with butane to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). It also releases a significant amount of energy in the form of heat and light. This is a combustion reaction because it meets the criteria of reacting with oxygen to produce heat and light.
Therefore, the second reaction (oxygen reacting with butane) is a combustion reaction.