Question

question 19 of 25 methane (ch₄) is the main component of natural gas. it is burned for fuel in a combustion reaction. the unbalanced combustion reaction for methane is shown below. ch₄ + o₂ → co₂ + h₂o + heat when the reaction is balanced, how many carbon dioxide molecules are produced for every methane molecule burned? a. 2 b. 4 c. 1 d. 3

Explanation:

Step1: Balance Carbon Atoms

On the left, there is 1 C in $\ce{CH4}$. On the right, there is 1 C in $\ce{CO2}$. So initially, C is balanced with 1 $\ce{CO2}$ for 1 $\ce{CH4}$.

Step2: Balance Hydrogen Atoms

Left: 4 H in $\ce{CH4}$. Right: 2 H in $\ce{H2O}$. So we need 2 $\ce{H2O}$ to balance H: $\ce{CH4 + O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O + heat}$.

Step3: Balance Oxygen Atoms

Right: 2 O in $\ce{CO2}$ + 2 O in $2\ce{H2O}$ = 4 O. Left: 2 O in $\ce{O2}$, so we need 2 $\ce{O2}$: $\ce{CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O + heat}$.
Now, for 1 $\ce{CH4}$, we have 1 $\ce{CO2}$.

Answer:

C. 1