Use the equation to answer the question.

Question

CH4+2O2→CO2+H2O

Which statement describes why this chemical equation is not correct?

(1 point)
Responses

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 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 oxygens on the left side than the right side.

Answer 1

The correct statement is:

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

In the provided equation (CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + H2O), let's count the atoms on both sides:

• Left side:

  • Carbons: 1 (from CH4)
  • Oxygens: 4 (2 from O2, and 2 * 2 = 4 total)
  • Hydrogens: 4 (from CH4)

• Right side:

  • Carbons: 1 (from CO2)
  • Oxygens: 3 (2 from CO2 and 1 from H2O)
  • Hydrogens: 2 (from H2O)

Thus, there are the same number of carbon atoms on both sides, but there are 4 oxygens on the left side compared to 3 on the right, leading to the conclusion that the equation is not balanced. Therefore, the first option accurately describes the imbalance.