How do I write equation for the combustion of CH4 to give CO2 and water?

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Answer 1 · 2015-11-25T06:03:55

${CH}_{4} {+ 2O}_{2}$ $"CH"_4" + 2O"_2"$ $\to$ $rarr$ ${CO}_{2} {+ 2H}_{2} O$ $"CO"_2" + 2H"_2"O"$

Unbalanced Equation

${CH}_{4} {+ O}_{2}$ $"CH"_4" + O"_2"$ $\to$ $rarr$ ${CO}_{2} {+ H}_{2} O$ $"CO"_2" + H"_2"O"$

Balance the hydrogen.

Place a coefficient of $2$ $2$ in front of the $H_{2} O$ $"H"_2"O"$ .

${CH}_{4} {+ O}_{2}$ $"CH"_4" + O"_2"$ $\to$ $rarr$ ${CO}_{2} {+ 2H}_{2} O$ $"CO"_2" + 2H"_2"O"$

Balance the oxygen.

Place a coefficient of $2$ $2$ in front of the $O_{2}$ $"O"_2"$ .

${CH}_{4} {+ 2O}_{2}$ $"CH"_4" + 2O"_2"$ $\to$ $rarr$ ${CO}_{2} {+ 2H}_{2} O$ $"CO"_2" + 2H"_2"O"$

There are now equal numbers of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation, and it is now balanced.

Number of Atoms on Left Side: $1C; 4H; 4O$ $"1C; 4H; 4O"$

Number of Atoms on Right Side: $1C; 4H; 4O$ $"1C; 4H; 4O"$