Questions: Balance the following equation. What is the coefficient in front of water? Methane and oxygen --> carbon dioxide and water

Balance the following equation. What is the coefficient in front of water? Methane and oxygen --> carbon dioxide and water
Transcript text: Balance the following equation. What is the coefficient in front of water? Methane and oxygen --> carbon dioxide and water
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Write the Unbalanced Equation

Write the chemical equation for the reaction of methane and oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water: \[ \text{CH}_4 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

Step 2: Balance Carbon Atoms

Ensure the number of carbon atoms is the same on both sides. There is 1 carbon atom in methane and 1 in carbon dioxide, so the carbon atoms are already balanced: \[ \text{CH}_4 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

Step 3: Balance Hydrogen Atoms

Balance the hydrogen atoms by ensuring the number of hydrogen atoms in methane equals the number in water. Methane has 4 hydrogen atoms, so place a coefficient of 2 in front of water: \[ \text{CH}_4 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \]

Step 4: Balance Oxygen Atoms

Balance the oxygen atoms by ensuring the total number of oxygen atoms on the reactant side equals the total on the product side. There are 2 oxygen atoms in carbon dioxide and 2 in water, totaling 4 oxygen atoms needed. Place a coefficient of 2 in front of oxygen: \[ \text{CH}_4 + 2\text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \]

Step 5: Verify the Balance

Check that each type of atom is balanced on both sides of the equation:

  • Carbon: 1 on each side
  • Hydrogen: 4 on each side
  • Oxygen: 4 on each side

The equation is balanced, and the coefficient in front of water is 2.

Final Answer

\(\boxed{2}\)

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