Answer:
CH₄ + 2 O₂ → CO₂ + 2 H₂O
Solution:
Balance chemical equation for said reaction is written in following steps.
1) Write down the reactants and products first,
CH₄ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O
2) Analyze number of elements at left and right hand side,
So,
L.H.S R.H.S
Carbon 1 1
Hydrogen 4 2
Oxygen 2 3
So, the carbon atoms are balanced. Hydrogen atoms are greater at L.H.S, so to balance hydrogen atoms multiply H₂O at R.H.S by 2, hence,
CH₄ + O₂ → CO₂ + 2 H₂O
Now,
L.H.S R.H.S
Carbon 1 1
Hydrogen 4 4
Oxygen 2 4
So, the carbon atoms are balanced. Hydrogen atoms are balanced but oxygen atoms are greater at R.H.S, so to balance oxygen atoms multiply O₂ at L.H.S by 2, hence,
CH₄ + 2 O₂ → CO₂ + 2 H₂O
Now,
L.H.S R.H.S
Carbon 1 1
Hydrogen 4 4
Oxygen 4 4
Equation is balanced now.
