Question

methane (ch₄) and oxygen (o₂) combine to make carbon dioxide (co₂) and water (h₂o) in the following unbalanced equation ch₄ + o₂ → co₂ + h₂o how many oxygen molecules are necessary in order to complete this reaction? (1 point) two three one four

Explanation:

Step1: Balance hydrogen atoms

In \(CH_4 + O_2
ightarrow CO_2 + H_2O\), there are 4 H atoms in \(CH_4\). So, we put a 2 in front of \(H_2O\) to balance H: \(CH_4+O_2
ightarrow CO_2 + 2H_2O\).

Step2: Balance oxygen atoms

Now, on the right - hand side, there are \(2 + 2=4\) O atoms (2 from \(CO_2\) and 2 from \(2H_2O\)). Since each \(O_2\) molecule has 2 O atoms, we put a 2 in front of \(O_2\) to balance O. The balanced equation is \(CH_4 + 2O_2=CO_2+2H_2O\).

Answer:

two