Use the equation to answer the question.

Question

CH4 + _____Cl2 → CCl4 + _____HCl

Which numbers balance this equation?

(1 point)
Responses

4, 4
4, 4

2, 4
2, 4

3, 2

Answer 1

To balance the equation:

CH4 + Cl2 → CCl4 + HCl

You need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side (left) is equal to the number of atoms on the product side (right).

1. Carbon (C): There is 1 C in CH4 and 1 C in CCl4. This is balanced.
2. Hydrogen (H): There are 4 H in CH4 and 1 H in HCl. To balance the H, you need 4 HCl. So, you should put 4 in front of HCl.
3. Chlorine (Cl): After balancing the H, you have 4 Cl from CCl4 and 4 Cl from 4 HCl, totaling 8 Cl. Therefore, you need 4 Cl2 on the reactant side to provide 8 Cl atoms.

So the balanced equation is:

CH4 + 4 Cl2 → CCl4 + 4 HCl

Thus, the correct numbers to balance this equation are:

4, 4.