Question

balance the chemical equation using the smallest possible whole number coefficients.
if the coefficient is 1, you may leave it blank.
\\( \square \mathrm { ch _ { 4 } ( g ) } + \square \mathrm { br _ { 2 } ( g ) } \
ightarrow \square \mathrm { cbr _ { 4 } ( s ) } + \square \mathrm { hbr ( g ) } \\)

Explanation:

Step1: Balance hydrogen atoms

There are 4 hydrogen atoms in \(CH_4\). In \(HBr\), each molecule has 1 hydrogen atom. So, the coefficient of \(HBr\) should be 4 to balance hydrogen: \(CH_4(g)+Br_2(g)\to CBr_4(s)+4HBr(g)\)

Step2: Balance bromine atoms

On the product - side, there are \(4 + 4=8\) bromine atoms (4 from \(CBr_4\) and 4 from \(4HBr\)). On the reactant - side, \(Br_2\) has 2 bromine atoms per molecule. So, the coefficient of \(Br_2\) should be 4 to balance bromine: \(CH_4(g)+4Br_2(g)\to CBr_4(s)+4HBr(g)\)

Answer:

1, 4, 1, 4