The following chemical equation shows the incomplete formula for burning methanol. The question mark represents the unknown number of oxygen (O2) molecules. How many molecules of O2 are needed to balance this chemical equation?

2CH₃OH + ?O₂ > 2CO₂ + 4H₂O

A. 1
B. 3
C. 5
D. 6

Please Help!!

4 answers

count the O atoms on both sides of the reaction
... then add what you need to balance

2 from methanol , 4 from carbon dioxide , 4 from water

how many MOLECULES to balance? ... 2 atoms per molecule
so 3?
yup
thank you