Methane combustion is basically carbon combining with oxygen to ...

[Anajune7]

Methane combustion is basically carbon combining with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. Why don't we represent the chemical equation for methane burning as C + O2 -> CO2?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is the role, if any, of aerosols in climate? Explain.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[AaaA]

Answer to Question 1

We keep the hydrogens in order to keep track of what's happening overall in the
reaction. It could be important to know that water is being formed. If we are just interested

Answer to Question 2

They affect temperatures. The sulfate aerosols released by burning coal tend to
counteract the additional carbon dioxide emitted, though the presence of the aerosols is
fleeting (several weeks' residence time) and the presence of carbon dioxide lasting. As
pointed out on p. 373, GCMs that do not include aerosol effects fail to reproduce the correct
interhemispheric temperatures. Aerosols are connected to the cloudiness experienced. It is
thought that the presence of aerosols has led to increased cloudiness in the Northern
Hemisphere.

[Anajune7]

Gracias!

[amandanbreshears]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it