What are the reaction steps for C2H4(g) + H2(g) → C2H6(g).
The reaction steps for the conversion of C2H4(g) (ethylene) and H2(g) (hydrogen gas) to C2H6(g) (ethane) are not necessary because this particular reaction occurs in a single step. This type of reaction, where all reactants are consumed simultaneously to form the product, is known as a direct or simple stoichiometric reaction.
To determine the reaction steps for a given chemical reaction, you can follow these general guidelines:
1. Start by writing the balanced chemical equation for the reaction. This equation represents the overall reaction and gives you the stoichiometry, indicating the relative number of molecules or moles of each reactant and product involved.
2. Identify the reactants and products involved in the equation. Reactants are the substances that undergo a chemical change, and products are the substances formed as a result of the reaction.
3. Determine if the reaction occurs in a single step or through multiple steps. Many reactions, particularly complex ones, involve intermediate steps or multiple reactions taking place sequentially. In such cases, additional information would be needed to determine the specific reaction steps.
In the case of the reaction between C2H4 and H2 to form C2H6, this is a direct reaction that occurs in one step without any intermediates or multiple reactions. Therefore, the reaction steps can be summarized simply as:
C2H4(g) + H2(g) → C2H6(g)
Overall, it is important to remember that while some reactions occur in multiple steps, others can occur directly without any intermediate steps. The complexity of reaction steps depends on the specific chemical reaction and its mechanism.