Question

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is an important industrial chemical. It is produced from methane (CH4), ammonia, and molecular oxygen. The reaction also produces water. Balance the equation for this reaction.

Answer 1

In setting up and balancing equations, it is important to know the chemical formula of the substances involved and also it is important that the number of elements in both sides should be equal. We do as follows:

2CH4 + 2NH3 + 3O2 = 2HCN + 6H2O

Hope this helps.