Write a balanced chemical equation for the preparation of
Methane from sodium acetate.

Explanation

To write a balanced chemical equation for the preparation of methane from sodium acetate, we need to follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants for the preparation of methane from sodium acetate are sodium acetate (CH₃COONa) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The reaction also requires calcium oxide (CaO) as a dehydrating agent.

### Step 2: Write the Unbalanced Equation
The unbalanced equation can be written as:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} + \text{NaOH} + \text{CaO} \rightarrow \text{CH}_4 + \text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 \]
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