Question

If a molecule of carbon dioxide is involved in a chemical reaction, how is it represented in the chemical equation for the reaction?

Answer 1

`CH_4(g) + 2O_2(g) rarr CO_2(g) + 2H_2O(g)`

else:
`CO_2(s) + RMg-X rarr R-CO_2^(-)MgX(s)`

Explanation:

Now, of course, as chemists we deal with molar quantities, and the oxidation reaction must involve a series of complex elementary steps, but here the molecule is simply represented as `CO_2`, as the gas or as the solid. Does this address your question, or am I wide of the mark?