12. methane is burned in power plants to generate electricity. the chemical reaction for burning methane is…
12. methane is burned in power plants to generate electricity. the chemical reaction for burning methane is represented by the chemical equation shown below. ch4 + 2o2 → co2 + 2h2o which statement provides evidence that a chemical reaction occurred? a. the atoms move closer together. b. no new substances were created. c. the atoms are rearranged to create new substances. d. the number of atoms increased as the reaction took place.
Answer
Brief Explanations:
A chemical reaction is characterized by the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances. In the given methane - burning reaction, methane ($CH_4$) and oxygen ($O_2$) react to form carbon - dioxide ($CO_2$) and water ($H_2O$). Atoms move closer together in physical changes too, so option A is incorrect. In a chemical reaction, new substances are created, so option B is incorrect. According to the law of conservation of mass, the number of atoms remains the same in a chemical reaction, so option D is incorrect.
Answer:
C. The atoms are rearranged to create new substances.