Use the equation to answer the question.

Question

Which statement describes why this chemical equation is not correct?
(1 point)
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + H2O
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 on the right side.
There are more oxygens on the left side than the right side.
There are more carbons on the left side than the right side.

Answer 1

The correct statement describing why the chemical equation is not balanced is:

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

Here's the breakdown:

• Left side: 1 carbon (C) from CH4, 4 hydrogens (H) from CH4, and 4 oxygens (O) from 2O2 (2 × 2 = 4), totaling 1 C, 4 H, and 4 O.
• Right side: 1 carbon (C) from CO2, 2 hydrogens (H) from H2O, and 3 oxygens (O) (2 from CO2 and 1 from H2O), totaling 1 C, 2 H, and 3 O.

When you count them:

• Carbons: 1 on each side
• Hydrogens: 4 on the left, 2 on the right (more hydrogens on the left)
• Oxygens: 4 on the left, 3 on the right (more oxygens on the left)

So, the left side has more hydrogen and oxygen atoms than the right side.