Methane (CH4) is the main component of natural gas. When it burns in the presence of oxygen from the air, carbon dioxide and water are produced. The balanced chemical equation for this combustion is:\[CH_4 (g) + 2O_2 (g) \rightarrow CO_2 (g) + 2H_2O (g)\]Methane (CH4) combines with oxygen (O2) in this reaction, yielding carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O).