Question

a mixture of methane and carbon monoxide requires 1.7 times its volume of oxygen for complete combustion. what is the ratio of ch4 :CO by volume in the mixture? (all vol. are measured in same temp. and press.) plz solve answer is 4:1 though

Answer 1

Answer:

CH 4 + 2O2 = CO 2 + 2H2O

CO + 1/2 O2 = CO

Ratio of CH4 and CO used =  

= Ratio of O2 required in two cases

= 4 : 1

Explanation:

Answer 2

The ratio of methane to that of carbon monoxide in the mixture is equal to 4:1.

• Let the moles of methane be equal to x and that of carbon monoxide be equal to y.
• Each mole of methane requires two moles of oxygen for complete combustion while one mole of carbon monoxide requires 0.5 moles of oxygen for combustion.
• Hence, total moles of oxygen required is equal to 2x+0.5y.
• Since moles of a gas is directly proportional to volume of the gas we can say that, 2x+0.5y = 1.7(x+y) ⇒ 0.3x = 1.2y ⇒ x/y =4/1.
• Therefore, the ratio of methane to that of carbon monoxide is equal to 4:1.