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Chapter 18: Problem 37

List the common products formed when an organic material containing the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen decomposes (a) under aerobic conditions, (b) under anaerobic conditions.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) Aerobic decomposition products: 1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) 2. Water (H2O) 3. Inorganic sulfate (SO4^(2-)) 4. Nitrate (NO3^(-)) (b) Anaerobic decomposition products: 1. Methane (CH4) 2. Water (H2O) 3. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) 4. Ammonia (NH3)

Step by step solution

01

Understanding aerobic and anaerobic decomposition.

Aerobic decomposition is the process of breaking down organic materials in the presence of oxygen, while anaerobic decomposition occurs without oxygen. Different products are formed under each condition due to the difference in available elements for the reactions.
02

Identifying common products of aerobic decomposition.

Under aerobic conditions, organic materials containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen decompose in the presence of oxygen. Following are the common products formed: 1. Carbon dioxide (CO2): Carbon present in the organic material combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. 2. Water (H2O): Hydrogen present in the organic material combines with oxygen to form water. 3. Inorganic sulfate (SO4^(2-)): Sulfur present combines with oxygen to form sulfate ion. 4. Nitrate (NO3^(-)): Nitrogen combines with oxygen to form nitrate ion.
03

Identifying common products of anaerobic decomposition.

Under anaerobic conditions, organic materials containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen decompose in the absence of oxygen. Following are the common products formed: 1. Methane (CH4): Carbon and hydrogen combine to form methane. 2. Water (H2O): Hydrogen combines with available oxygen to form water. 3. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S): Hydrogen and sulfur combine to form hydrogen sulfide. 4. Ammonia (NH3): Nitrogen and hydrogen combine to form ammonia. To summarize:
04

a) Aerobic decomposition products:

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) 2. Water (H2O) 3. Inorganic sulfate (SO4^(2-)) 4. Nitrate (NO3^(-))
05

b) Anaerobic decomposition products:

1. Methane (CH4) 2. Water (H2O) 3. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) 4. Ammonia (NH3)

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Natural gas consists primarily of methane, \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}(\mathrm{~g})\). (a) Write a balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of methane to produce \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)\) as the only carbon-containing product. (b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the incomplete combustion of methane to produce \(\mathrm{CO}(\mathrm{g})\) as the only carbon-containing product. (c) At \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(1.0 \mathrm{~atm}\) pressure, what is the minimum quantity of dry air needed to combust \(1.0 \mathrm{~L}\) of \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}(g)\) completely to \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g) ?\)

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