Reaction \#4 Word Equation \( \square \) Balanced Formula \[ \mathrm{CH}_{4}+2 \mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \]

Did you know that the combustion of methane, represented by the equation \( \mathrm{CH}_{4} + 2 \mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2} + 2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \), is a primary reaction in the production of energy? This reaction releases a significant amount of heat, making methane a popular fuel source for cooking and heating. It’s the same process that powers your gas stove and helps keep your home warm in winter! When balancing chemical equations, one common mistake is failing to account for polyatomic ions as units. For example, in the reaction above, it’s easy to overlook that oxygen exists as \( \mathrm{O}_{2} \). Remember to balance each element one at a time, and when dealing with complex molecules, check off each atom as you balance. This helps avoid errors and ensures your equations are correctly formatted!