Questions: What is the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane?

What is the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane?
Transcript text: What is the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane?
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Reactants and Products

The combustion of methane involves methane (CH4\text{CH}_4) and oxygen (O2\text{O}_2) as reactants. The products of this reaction are carbon dioxide (CO2\text{CO}_2) and water (H2O\text{H}_2\text{O}).

Step 2: Write the Unbalanced Equation

The unbalanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane is: CH4+O2CO2+H2O \text{CH}_4 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O}

Step 3: Balance the Equation

To balance the equation, ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.

  1. Carbon atoms: There is 1 carbon atom in CH4\text{CH}_4 and 1 in CO2\text{CO}_2. This is already balanced.
  2. Hydrogen atoms: There are 4 hydrogen atoms in CH4\text{CH}_4 and 2 in each H2O\text{H}_2\text{O}. To balance, place a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O\text{H}_2\text{O}: CH4+O2CO2+2H2O \text{CH}_4 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}
  3. Oxygen atoms: There are 2 oxygen atoms in CO2\text{CO}_2 and 2 in 2H2O2\text{H}_2\text{O}, totaling 4 oxygen atoms needed on the product side. Therefore, place a coefficient of 2 in front of O2\text{O}_2: CH4+2O2CO2+2H2O \text{CH}_4 + 2\text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}

Final Answer

The balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane is: CH4+2O2CO2+2H2O \boxed{\text{CH}_4 + 2\text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}}

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