Question 16

CH₄ and O₂ are the reactants in the given chemical reaction.

In the chemical reaction CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O, the reactants are the substances that undergo a chemical change, which are CH₄ (methane) and O₂ (oxygen).

A) CH₄ and O₂

This option correctly identifies the reactants of the chemical reaction. CH₄ is methane, and O₂ is oxygen, both of which are necessary for the reaction to occur, resulting in the products CO₂ (carbon dioxide) and H₂O (water).

B) CO₂ and H₂O

This option is incorrect because CO₂ and H₂O are the products of the reaction, not the reactants. Products are the substances formed as a result of the chemical reaction, whereas reactants are the starting materials.

C) Both

This option is incorrect because it implies that both reactants and products are included. However, in this context, only CH₄ and O₂ are the reactants, while CO₂ and H₂O are the products. Thus, "both" cannot be correct.

D) None of the above

This option is also incorrect because there are indeed reactants present in the reaction. Since CH₄ and O₂ are identified as the reactants, stating that none of the options are correct is inaccurate.

Conclusion

The correct answer is A) CH₄ and O₂, as they are the only substances that participate in the reaction to produce CO₂ and H₂O. All other options either incorrectly define products as reactants or suggest that there are no reactants present, which is not the case. Understanding the distinction between reactants and products is fundamental in chemical reactions.