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Methane (CH4) is a common fuel used in combustion reactions. To balance the combustion reaction, we need to ensure that the number of atoms on the reactant side (fuel + oxidant) is equal to the number of atoms on the product side. The unbalanced equation for the combustion of methane is: CH4 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O To balance the equation: 1. Balance the carbon atoms: There is 1 carbon atom on both sides, so it is already balanced. 2. Balance the hydrogen atoms: There are 4 hydrogen atoms on the reactant side and 2 on the product side, so we need to add a coefficient of 2 to the water molecule: CH4 + O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O 3. Balance the oxygen atoms: There are now 4 oxygen atoms on the product side and 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side, so we need to add a coefficient of 2 to the oxygen molecule: CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O The balanced equation for the combustion of methane is: CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O Example 2:

Ethane (C2H6) is another common fuel used in combustion reactions. To balance the combustion reaction, we need to ensure that the number of atoms on the reactant side (fuel + oxidant) is equal to the number of atoms on the product side. The unbalanced equation for the combustion of ethane is: C2H6 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O To balance the equation: 1. Balance the carbon atoms: There are 2 carbon atoms on the reactant side, and 1 on the product side, so we need to add a coefficient of 2 to the carbon dioxide molecule: C2H6 + O2 -> 2CO2 + H2O 2. Balance the hydrogen atoms: There are 6 hydrogen atoms on the reactant side, and 2 on the product side, so we need to add a coefficient of 3 to the water molecule: C2H6 + O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O 3. Balance the oxygen atoms: There are now 7 oxygen atoms on the product side, and 2 on the reactant side, so we need to add a coefficient of 7/2 (3.5) to the oxygen molecule: C2H6 + 3.5O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O Since a balanced equation requires whole number coefficients, we can multiply the entire equation by 2 to obtain whole numbers: 2C2H6 + 7O2 -> 4CO2 + 6H2O (Balanced) The balanced equation for the combustion of ethane is: 2C2H6 + 7O2 -> 4CO2 + 6H2O