What chemical equation would represent methane (CH4) burning in the presence of oxygen gas (O2) to form water and carbon dioxide? (Make sure it's balanced)
Hmmmm
CH4+O2>>CO2 +H20
CH4+2O2>>CO2+2H2O
is that balanced?
To write a balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane (CH4) in the presence of oxygen (O2), we need to follow a few steps.
Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation.
CH4 + O2 -> H2O + CO2
Step 2: Count the numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.
On the left side, we have:
1 carbon (C) atom
4 hydrogen (H) atoms
2 oxygen (O) atoms
On the right side, we have:
1 hydrogen (H) atom
1 carbon (C) atom
3 oxygen (O) atoms
Step 3: Balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients.
In order to balance the number of carbons, we need to put a coefficient of 1 in front of CO2. This gives us:
CH4 + O2 -> H2O + 1 CO2
Now, we have:
1 carbon (C) atom
4 hydrogen (H) atoms
2 oxygen (O) atoms
On the right side, we have:
2 hydrogen (H) atoms
1 carbon (C) atom
3 oxygen (O) atoms
To balance the hydrogens, we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O:
CH4 + O2 -> 2 H2O + 1 CO2
Finally, we have:
1 carbon (C) atom
4 hydrogen (H) atoms
2 oxygen (O) atoms
On the right side, we have:
4 hydrogen (H) atoms
1 carbon (C) atom
4 oxygen (O) atoms
To balance the oxygens, we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of O2:
CH4 + 2 O2 -> 2 H2O + 1 CO2
Now, the equation is balanced:
CH4 + 2 O2 -> 2 H2O + CO2