Balance this equation. underline ( )CH_(4)+underline ( )O_(2)arrow underline ( )CO_(2)+underline ( )H_(2)O 0.2.0.2 2.1.2.1 1,2,1,1 1,2,1,2

## Step 1<br />The given equation is \(CH_{4} + O_{2} \rightarrow CO_{2} + H_{2}O\). This equation represents the combustion of methane (CH4) in the presence of oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).<br /><br />## Step 2<br />To balance this equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Looking at the equation, we can see that there is 1 carbon atom on both sides, 4 hydrogen atoms on the left side and 2 on the right side, and 2 oxygen atoms on the left side and 3 on the right side.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />To balance the hydrogen the number of water molecules (H2O) by 2, giving us 4 hydrogen atoms on both sides.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />To balance the oxygen atoms, we can multiply the number of oxygen molecules (O2) by 2, giving us 4 oxygen atoms on both sides.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />After balancing the atoms, the balanced equation becomes \(CH_{4} + 2O_{2} \rightarrow CO_{2} + 2H_{2}O\).