Balance the following chemical equation: \text{CH}_ 4 +CH 4 +start text, C, H, end text, start subscript, 4, end subscript, plus \text{O}_ 2 \rightarrow 2 →start text, O, end text, start subscript, 2, end subscript, right arrow \text{CO}_2 +CO 2 +start text, C, O, end text, start subscript, 2, end subscript, plus \text{H}_2\text{O}H 2 O

The overall aim of balancing any chemical equation is to make sure that the number of moles of atoms (as in this case) in the reactant section equals that in the product phase.

In this problem, we have three atoms; Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen.

Reactant Section;

Number of Carbon = 1

Number of Hydrogen = 4

Number of oxygen = 2

Product Section;

Number of Carbon = 1

Number of Hydrogen = 2

Number of oxygen = 3

The following equations would show increase in the coefficients of the compounds in order to balance the reaction.

CH4 + O2 --> CO2 + 2H2O (2 is added to H20 to make number of H = 4)

Currently,

Reactant Section;

Number of Carbon = 1

Number of Hydrogen = 4

Number of oxygen = 2

Product Section;

Number of Carbon = 1

Number of Hydrogen = 4

Number of oxygen = 4

We are left with a deficit of two oxygen atoms; This is catered for by adding a 2 in the O2 of the reactanct section.

CH4 + 2O2 --> CO2 + 2H2O

Reactant Section;

Number of Carbon = 1

Number of Hydrogen = 4

Number of oxygen = 4

Product Section;

Number of Carbon = 1

Number of Hydrogen = 4

Number of oxygen = 4

With this, the equation is now balanced.