CH4+2O2→CO2+H2O

Question

Which statement describes why this chemical equation is not correct?

(1 point)
Responses

There are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the left side than the right side.
There are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the left side than the right side.

There are more carbons and oxygens on the left side than the right side.
There are more carbons and oxygens on the left side than the right side.

There are more carbons on the left side than the right side.
There are more carbons on the left side than the right side.

There are more oxygens on the left side than the right side.

Answer 1

The correct response to describe why the given chemical equation is not correct is:

There are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the left side than the right side.

In the reaction \( CH_4 + 2O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O \):

• Left side: 1 carbon (C), 4 hydrogen (H), and 4 oxygen (O).
• Right side: 1 carbon (C), 2 hydrogen (H), and 3 oxygen (O).

There is an imbalance because there are more hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the left side (4 H and 4 O) compared to the right side (2 H and 3 O). Thus, the equation is not balanced.