I have the chemical equation: CH4 + NH3 + O2 => HCN + H2O, I have to write a balanced equation using the lowest whole number coefficients, including the state of each compound -- HELP PLEASE

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All are gases, even the water (steam)

2CH4 + 3NH3 + 4O2 => 2HCN + 6H2O

To write a balanced equation, you need to ensure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is equal. Here's the balanced equation for the given reaction using the lowest whole number coefficients:

CH4(g) + 2 NH3(g) + 3 O2(g) => HCN(g) + 4 H2O(g)

Please note that the state (g) indicates that all the compounds are in the gaseous state.

To write a balanced equation using the lowest whole number coefficients and including the states of each compound, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Write the given chemical equation:
CH4 + NH3 + O2 => HCN + H2O

Step 2: Identify the elements present on both sides of the equation and count their atoms. In this case, we have carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O).

Step 3: Start with the element that appears in the smallest number of compounds. In this case, it is nitrogen (N). To balance the nitrogen atoms, put a coefficient of 1 in front of NH3.

CH4 + NH3 + O2 => HCN + H2O

Step 4: Next, balance the carbon atoms. We have one carbon atom on the left side and one on the right side, so no further changes are needed.

CH4 + NH3 + O2 => HCN + H2O

Step 5: Balance the hydrogen atoms. On the left side, we have 4 hydrogen atoms from CH4 and 3 hydrogen atoms from NH3, totaling 7 hydrogen atoms. On the right side, we have 1 hydrogen atom in HCN and 2 hydrogen atoms in H2O, totaling 3 hydrogen atoms. To balance the hydrogen atoms, put a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O.

CH4 + NH3 + O2 => HCN + 2H2O

Step 6: Balance the oxygen atoms. On the left side, we have 2 oxygen atoms from O2. On the right side, we have 1 oxygen atom in HCN and 4 oxygen atoms from 2H2O, totaling 5 oxygen atoms. To balance the oxygen atoms, put a coefficient of 5/2 (which can be multiplied by 2 to avoid fractional coefficients) in front of O2.

CH4 + NH3 + 2.5O2 => HCN + 2H2O

Since we want the coefficients to be whole numbers, we can multiply through the entire equation by 2 to obtain the final balanced equation:

2CH4 + 2NH3 + 5O2 => 2HCN + 4H2O

Therefore, the balanced equation including the states of each compound is:
2CH4 (g) + 2NH3 (g) + 5O2 (g) => 2HCN (g) + 4H2O (g)

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