The overall chemical equation resulting from the sum of the following three steps is 2C (s) + 2H2O (g) → 2CO (g) + 2H2 (g) CO (g) + H2O (g) → CO2 (g) + H2 (g) CO (g) + 3H2 (g) → CH4 (g) + H2O (g) a. 2C (s) + 2H2O (g) → CO2 (g) + CH4 (g) b. 2C (s) + 3H2O (g) → CO (g) + CO2 (g) + 3H2 (g) c. 2C (s) + H2O (g) + H2 (g) → CO (g) + CH4 (g) d. 2CO (g) + 2H2 (g) → CH4 (g) + CO2 (g) e. 2C (s) + CH4 (g) + 3H2O (g) → 3CO (g) + 5H2 (g)

2C (s) + 2H2O (g) → CO2 (g) + CH4 (g) (option a)

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

C (s) + 2H2O (g) → 2CO (g) + 2H2 (g)

CO (g) + H2O (g) → CO2 (g) + H2 (g)

CO (g) + 3H2 (g) → CH4 (g) + H2O (g)

Step 2: balance the reactions

2C (s) + 2H2O (g) → 2CO (g) + 2H2 (g)

CO (g) + H2O (g) → CO2 (g) + H2 (g)

CO (g) + 3H2 (g) → CH4 (g) + H2O (g)

Step 3: Summing the reactions

2C (s) + 2H2O (g) + CO (g) + H2O (g) + CO (g) + 3H2 (g) → 2CO (g) + 2H2 (g) + CO2 (g) + H2 (g) + CH4 (g) + H2O (g)

Step 4: Simplify the reaction

2C (s) + 3H2O (g) + 2CO (g) + 3H2 (g) → 2CO (g) + 3H2 (g) + CO2 (g) + CH4 (g) + H2O (g)

2C (s) + 2H2O (g) → CO2 (g) + CH4 (g) = option a

2C (s) + 2H2O (g) → CO2 (g) + CH4 (g)