How would you balance the following equation: CH4 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O?

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How would you balance the following equation: CH4 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O?

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Answer 1 · 2015-12-04T00:08:02

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

Explanation:

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

First look at the C atoms. At first glance they are balanced with 1 C on each side.

Now look at the H atoms. They are not balanced. There are 4 H atoms on the left side and 2 H atoms on the right. Place a coefficient of 2 in front of the $H_{2} O$ $"H"_2"O""$ . We now have 4 H atoms on both sides.

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

Now look at the O atoms. They are not balanced. There are 2 O atoms on the left side and 4 on the right. Place a coefficient of 2 in front of the $O_{2}$ $"O"_2"$ . We now have 4 O atoms on both sides.

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

The equation is now balanced. Each side has 1 C atom, 4 H atoms, and 4 O atoms.

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How would you balance the following equation: CH4 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O?

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