To determine whether the equation \( \text{CH}_4 + 2\text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \) is balanced, we can count the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation:
Left Side:
- Carbons: 1 (from CH4)
- Hydrogens: 4 (from CH4)
- Oxygens: 4 (from 2 O2)
Right Side:
- Carbons: 1 (from CO2)
- Hydrogens: 2 (from H2O)
- Oxygens: 3 (2 from CO2 and 1 from H2O)
Now, let’s summarize the counts:
- Carbons: Left = 1, Right = 1 (balanced)
- Hydrogens: Left = 4, Right = 2 (not balanced)
- Oxygens: Left = 4, Right = 3 (not balanced)
Given this analysis, the correct choice is:
"There are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the left side than the right side."
This statement accurately reflects that we have more hydrogen (4 on the left vs 2 on the right) and more oxygen (4 on the left vs 3 on the right) atoms on the left side of the equation compared to the right side.
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