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) + 12 O₂(g) → C₂H₆(g) + H₂O(g) (c) Explain how the preceding reactions are an example of driving a nonspontaneous reaction, as discussed in the 'Chemistry and Life' box in Section 19.7.