Question

How do I balance this equation?

___CH₄(g) +___O_{2------------>____}CO₂(g) +___H₂O(g)

Answer 1

1. First balence the number of carbon (C) atoms present in both side.

Here 1 carbon atom is present in both sides, so no need to balence the C atoms.

CH4 + O2 CO2 + H2O.

2. Then balance the number of hydrogen (H) atoms in both sides.

To balence the hydrogen atoms, we have to write 2 molecule of water (H2O) in right hand side.

CH4 + O2 CO2 + 2 H2O.

3. At last, we have to balence the oxygen atoms in both sides.

In right hand side, there is 4 oxygen atoms. Hence to balence the oxygen atoms we have to write 2 molecules of O2 in left side.

Hence, the balence equation is -

CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O.