Question #ed5f9

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Lovecraft
Jan 12, 2016

Oxirreduction, or combustion.

Explanation:

Reactions of the type

4M + O_2 rarr 2M_2O
2M + O_2 rarr 2MO
4M + 3O_2 rarr 2M_2O_3

Where M is a metal are oxirreduction (or redox) reactions since the metals goes from having a 0 net charge to a positive one (it's being oxidized) whereas Oxygen goes from having a 0 net charge to -2, being reduced.

Which of the equations will happen, will depend on the metal. But reactions of this type can happen with other compounds, including, for example the combustion of coal

C + O_2 rarr CO_2

The combustion of hydrocarbons in general

2C_xH_y + (4x+y)O_2 rarr 2xCO_2 + yH_2O

(Whereas any present oxygen may or may not become oxygen gas, and nitrogen or sulfur will go to an oxide depending on the amount of oxygen available among other things).

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