Use the equation to answer the question. CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + H2O Which statement describes why this chemical equation is not correct? (1 point) Responses There are more carbons on the reactant side than on the product side. There are more carbons on the reactant side than on the product side. There are fewer hydrogens in water than there should be, the subscript should be changed. There are fewer hydrogens in water than there should be, the subscript should be changed. There are more oxygens on both sides than their are carbons. There are more oxygens on both sides than their are carbons. There are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the reactant side than on the product side.

The statement that describes why this chemical equation is not correct is: There are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the reactant side than on the product side.

To explain further:

• In the equation CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + H2O:
  • Reactants: 1 carbon (C) from CH4, 4 hydrogens (H) from CH4, and 4 oxygens (O) from 2O2 (totaling 1 C, 4 H, 4 O).
  • Products: 1 carbon from CO2, 2 hydrogens from H2O, and 2 oxygens from CO2 and H2O (totaling 1 C, 2 H, 3 O).

In this balance:

• 1 carbon on both sides
• 4 hydrogens on the reactant side vs. 2 hydrogens on the product side
• 4 oxygens on the reactant side vs. 3 oxygens on the product side

Since there are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the reactant side than on the product side, this statement correctly identifies the imbalance in the reaction.