2007-04-01 12:29:32 · 3 answers · asked by Mehmood 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
With oxygen around, it would probably hook up with the carbon and you wouldn't have methane; you'd get carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. The methane is formed by the single carbon atom hooking up with four hygrogen atoms. The oxygen atoms would push the hydrogens out of the way. I think that is what you see happening when your gas stove burns with a blue flame.
2007-04-01 12:39:00 · answer #1 · answered by xxxx 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It deals with electronegativity of the atoms. Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon. That means it has more of an affinity for hydrogen than carbon. So if oxygen is present it will take the hydrogen and produce water.
2007-04-02 13:46:47 · answer #2 · answered by ATP-Man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because oxygen will react with any free hydrogen to make water.
2007-04-01 19:33:42 · answer #3 · answered by Jaymondo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋