Which set of coefficients correctly balances the chemical equation for the complete combustion of methane (CH_4)?CH_4 + O_2 → CO_2 + H_2O

• A. 1 CH_4 + 2 O_2 → 2 CO_2 + 2 H_2O
• B. 1 CH_4 + 2 O_2 → 1 CO_2 + 2 H_2O
• C. 2 CH_4 + 3 O_2 → 2 CO_2 + 4 H_2O
• D. 1 CH_4 + 1 O_2 → 1 CO_2 + 2 H_2O

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the combustion reaction: methane (CH_4) reacts with oxygen (O_2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO_2) and water (H_2O).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\mathrm{CH_4 + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O}\).
3. Balance the carbon atoms first. Since there is 1 carbon atom in CH_4 and 1 in CO_2, place a coefficient of 1 before CO_2.
4. Balance the hydrogen atoms next. There are 4 hydrogen atoms in CH_4, so to balance hydrogen on the product side, place a coefficient of 2 before H_2O (because each H_2O has 2 hydrogens, \$2 \times 2 = 4$ hydrogens).
5. Balance the oxygen atoms last. On the product side, there are \$2\( oxygen atoms in CO_2 and \)2 \times 1 = 2$ oxygen atoms in 2 H_2O, totaling 4 oxygen atoms. Since each O_2 molecule has 2 oxygen atoms, place a coefficient of 2 before O_2 to balance oxygen atoms.