The conversion of natural gas, which is mostly methane, into products that contain two or more carbon atoms, such as ethane (C₂H₆), is a very important industrial chemical process. In principle, methane can be converted into ethane and hydrogen: 2 CH₄(g) → C₂H₆(g) + H₂(g) In practice, this reaction is carried out in the presence of oxygen: 2 CH₄(g) + 1/2 O₂(g) → C₂H₆(g) + H₂O(g)

c. Will the equilibrium constant for the second reaction increase, decrease, or stay the same if the temperature is increased to 500 °C?