To evaluate the chemical equation CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O, we need to count the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.
Left side (reactants):
- Carbon (C): 1 (from CH₄)
- Hydrogen (H): 4 (from CH₄)
- Oxygen (O): 4 (from 2O₂)
Right side (products):
- Carbon (C): 1 (from CO₂)
- Hydrogen (H): 2 (from H₂O)
- Oxygen (O): 3 (2 from CO₂ and 1 from H₂O)
Now we can summarize the atoms:
- Carbons: 1 on both sides
- Hydrogens: 4 on the left, 2 on the right
- Oxygens: 4 on the left, 3 on the right
Looking at the counts:
- There are more hydrogen atoms (4 on the left vs. 2 on the right).
- There are the same number of carbon atoms (1 on each side).
- There are more oxygen atoms on the left (4 vs. 3 on the right).
Given this analysis, the correct statement regarding why this chemical equation is not correct is:
There are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the left side than the right side.