Question

What is wrong with the chemical equation below? How could you fix it? CH4 + O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O

Answer 1

Answer:

$\huge \boxed{\mathrm{CH_4+ 2O_2 \Rightarrow CO_2 +2 H_2O}}$

$\rule[225]{225}{2}$

Explanation:

$\sf CH_4+ O_2 \Rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O$

Balancing the Hydrogen atoms on the right side,

$\sf CH_4+ O_2 \Rightarrow CO_2 +2 H_2O$

Balancing the Oxygen atoms on the left side,

$\sf CH_4+ 2O_2 \Rightarrow CO_2 +2 H_2O$

$\rule[225]{225}{2}$

Answer 2

CH4+O2  =  CO2+2H2O

C-1               C-1    

O-2              O-4

H-4               H-4

CH4+2 O2  =  CO2+2 H2O

C-1               C-1    

O-2-4           O-4

H-4               H-4

You add a 2 in front of the O2 on the reactant side so the Oxygen can balance on the Product side