Question

balance the chemical equation using the smallest possible whole number coefficients. if the coefficient is 1, you may leave it blank. ch₄ (g) + o₂ (g) → co₂ (g) + h₂o (g)

Explanation:

Step1: Balance carbon atoms

Carbon atoms are already balanced as there is 1 carbon atom on both sides.

Step2: Balance hydrogen atoms

There are 4 hydrogen atoms in \(CH_4\). In \(H_2O\), to balance hydrogen, we put a coefficient of 2 in front of \(H_2O\) (\(2H_2O\) gives 4 hydrogen atoms).

Step3: Balance oxygen atoms

After balancing hydrogen, we have 2 oxygen atoms from \(CO_2\) and 2 oxygen atoms from \(2H_2O\), total 4 oxygen atoms. So we put a coefficient of 2 in front of \(O_2\) (\(2O_2\) gives 4 oxygen atoms).

Answer:

1 \(CH_4(g)\) + 2 \(O_2(g)\) → 1 \(CO_2(g)\) + 2 \(H_2O(g)\)