Question

Hydrogen gas can be produced from the reaction between methane and water as represented. Write the balanced chemical equation that represents the process. Do not include states of matter in the chemical equation.

Answer 1

Explanation:

CH4+H2O-CH3OH+H2

Methane reacts with water to form methylalcohol and hydrogen

Answer 2

The balanced chemical equation is: $CH_{4}$ + $H_{2} O$ → CO + 3$H_{2}$

Balancing the equation

• An equation is a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction.
• A balanced chemical equation is an equation where the number of atoms of reacting elements is equal to the number of atoms of the product.
• The unbalanced equation for the reaction between methane and water:  

              $CH_{4}$ + $H_{2} O$ → CO + $H_{2}$

• Here, the number of hydrogen atoms on either side of the arrow is unequal.
• To balance the equation, we multiply the $H_{2}$ molecule by 3. This makes the number of Hydrogen atoms equal(6 Hydrogen atoms).
• Thus, the balanced equation becomes:

               $CH_{4}$ + $H_{2} O$ → CO + 3$H_{2}$