Question

which of the following sets of coefficients will balance the reaction below? (5 points)
extra content
ch4 + o2 → co2 + h2o
a. 2/1/2/1
b. 1/2/1/2
c. 1/2/2/2
d. 1/1/2/2

Explanation:

Step1: Balance carbon atoms

The chemical formula of methane is \(CH_4\), and the product carbon - containing compound is \(CO_2\). For carbon balance, if the coefficient of \(CH_4\) is \(1\), the coefficient of \(CO_2\) is also \(1\).

Step2: Balance hydrogen atoms

Since there are \(4\) hydrogen atoms in \(CH_4\), and the hydrogen - containing product is \(H_2O\). According to the hydrogen balance, the coefficient of \(H_2O\) is \(2\) (\(2H_2O\) contains \(4\) hydrogen atoms).

Step3: Balance oxygen atoms

The right - hand side of the equation (\(CO_2 + 2H_2O\)) contains \(4\) oxygen atoms. So the coefficient of \(O_2\) is \(2\) (\(2O_2\) contains \(4\) oxygen atoms).
The balanced chemical equation is \(CH_4+2O_2 = CO_2 + 2H_2O\). Dividing each coefficient by \(2\) gives \(\frac{1}{2}CH_4 + O_2=\frac{1}{2}CO_2 + H_2O\).

Answer:

B. \(1/2\), \(1\), \(1/2\), \(1\)