Balance the following equation for the combustion of methane (3 pts):

CH4 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O

The balanced equation is.

CH₄  + 2O₂ → CO₂  +  2H₂O

Explanation:

CH₄ + O₂ --> CO₂ + H₂O

You have 4 H in reactant side. In order to balance the H, you add 2 in water, in product side.

Now, you unbalanced the O, because you have 2 O from CO₂ and 2 O from water. As you have 4 O in total, you add a 2 in the O₂ in the reactant side. C is balanced because you have 1 C on each side

Explanation:

Balancing the Hydrogen atoms on the right side,

Balancing the Oxygen atoms on the left side,

it means there are 3 atoms of oxygen