According to the law of definite proportions, what should the ratio of hydrogen to carbon be for methane gas?

Question

The mass of methane discovered under the surface of the earth is made of the elements hydrogen and carbon in the ratio of 1/3

Answer 1

1/3 means 25% H and 75% C.

25%/1.00 = 25
75%/12 = 6.25

25/6.25 = 4
6.25/6.25 = 1

So the empirical formula is CH4. (It happens to be the molecular formula also.)

Answer 2

Basic equation from words: CH4 (g) + H2O (g) ---> CO (g) + H2 (g) Now balance it: CH4 (g) + H2O (g) ---> CO (g) + 3 H2 (g)