Question

Why is it dangerous to burn methane in an insufficient supply of air?

Answer 1

• When Methane ($C{H}_4$) is burned in an insufficient supply of air, it yields Carbon monoxide ($CO$) and Water ($H_{2}O$).
• Here, carbon monoxide is very dangerous as it is poisonous to human beings because when they come in contact with it, Carbon monoxide binds with the hemoglobin and reduces its ability to attach to the Oxygen ($O_2$) .
• Thus, it leads to a decrease in the Oxygen amount in the blood and can be fatal.
• The combustion of methane is shown below:

$\underset{Methane}{2C{H}_4\left(g\right)}+\underset{Oxygen}{3O_2\left(g\right)}\to \underset{Carbonmonooxide}{2CO\left(g\right)}+\underset{Water}{4H_{2}O\left(l\right)}$