Final answer:
The word equation that represents the burning of methane is: methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word equation that represents the burning of methane is: methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.
One molecule of methane and two molecules of oxygen react to yield one molecule of carbon dioxide and two molecules of water. This reaction is a combustion reaction, in which a fuel (methane) reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. This equation is balanced, meaning that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is the same.