Question

If 20dm3 methane was burned in pure oxygen: CH4(g) + 2O2(g) arrow CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
how do I work out the volume of carbon dioxide made?
And what volume of oxygen would be required?

Thank you.

Answer 1

I think I have worked out the answers -
the volume of carbon dioxide would be 20dm3 and the volume of oxygen required would be 40dm3.
Please let me know if I am incorrect.
Thank you.

Answer 2

You are right.
When working with gases, one may use the volumes as if they were mols. That isn't exactly right but the math works out that way. So use volumes and convert with the coefficients in the balanced equation to convert volume CH4 to mols O2 for the first one and then convert mols CH4 to mols CO2 for the second.
For O2.
20 dm3 CH4 x (2 mols O2/1 mol CH4) = 20 x 2/1 = 40 dm3 for O2 needed.

Answer 3

Thank you!