The Chemical Equation for the Combustion of Sugar

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 64 views

Introduction

Balancing chemical equations is a crucial step in understanding chemical reactions. It involves adjusting the coefficients of reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. In this article, we will focus on balancing the chemical equation for the combustion of sugar, which is a fundamental concept in chemistry.

The Chemical Equation for the Combustion of Sugar

The chemical equation for the combustion of sugar is:

${ C_6 H_{12} O_6(s) + O_2(g) \rightarrow CO_2(g) + H_2 O(l) \}$

This equation represents the reaction between sugar (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Balancing the Equation

To balance the equation, we need to adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products. The goal is to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Let's start by counting the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side:

Carbon (C): 6
Hydrogen (H): 12
Oxygen (O): 6

Now, let's count the number of atoms of each element on the product side:

Carbon (C): 6
Hydrogen (H): 2
Oxygen (O): 7

As we can see, the number of atoms of each element is not the same on both sides of the equation. To balance the equation, we need to adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products.

Step 1: Balance Carbon Atoms

The first step is to balance the carbon atoms. Since there are 6 carbon atoms on the reactant side, we need to multiply the CO2 molecule by 6 to balance the carbon atoms on the product side.

${ C_6 H_{12} O_6(s) + O_2(g) \rightarrow 6CO_2(g) + H_2 O(l) \}$

Step 2: Balance Hydrogen Atoms

Next, we need to balance the hydrogen atoms. Since there are 12 hydrogen atoms on the reactant side, we need to multiply the H2O molecule by 6 to balance the hydrogen atoms on the product side.

${ C_6 H_{12} O_6(s) + O_2(g) \rightarrow 6CO_2(g) + 6H_2 O(l) \}$

Step 3: Balance Oxygen Atoms

Finally, we need to balance the oxygen atoms. Since there are 6 oxygen atoms on the reactant side, we need to multiply the O2 molecule by 6 to balance the oxygen atoms on the product side.

${ C_6 H_{12} O_6(s) + 6O_2(g) \rightarrow 6CO_2(g) + 6H_2 O(l) \}$

Conclusion

In conclusion, the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of sugar is:

${ C_6 H_{12} O_6(s) + 6O_2(g) \rightarrow 6CO_2(g) + 6H_2 O(l) \}$

This equation represents the reaction between sugar and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. By following the steps outlined above, we were able to balance the equation and ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Answer

The correct sequence of coefficients is:

A. 1, 6, 6, 6

This sequence represents the coefficients of the reactants and products in the balanced equation.

Discussion

Balancing chemical equations is a crucial step in understanding chemical reactions. It involves adjusting the coefficients of reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. In this article, we focused on balancing the chemical equation for the combustion of sugar, which is a fundamental concept in chemistry.

Tips and Tricks

Always start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Balance the atoms of each element one by one, starting with the elements that appear first in the equation.
Use the coefficients of the reactants and products to balance the equation.
Check your work by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

Conclusion

Introduction

Balancing chemical equations is a crucial step in understanding chemical reactions. It involves adjusting the coefficients of reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. In this article, we will provide a Q&A guide to help you understand the concept of balancing chemical equations.

Q: What is balancing a chemical equation?

A: Balancing a chemical equation involves adjusting the coefficients of reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.

Q: Why is balancing a chemical equation important?

A: Balancing a chemical equation is important because it ensures that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. This is crucial in understanding chemical reactions and predicting the products of a reaction.

Q: How do I balance a chemical equation?

A: To balance a chemical equation, follow these steps:

Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
Balance the atoms of each element one by one, starting with the elements that appear first in the equation.
Use the coefficients of the reactants and products to balance the equation.
Check your work by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

Q: What are the common mistakes to avoid when balancing a chemical equation?

A: The common mistakes to avoid when balancing a chemical equation are:

Not counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Not balancing the atoms of each element one by one.
Not using the coefficients of the reactants and products to balance the equation.
Not checking your work by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

Q: How do I know if a chemical equation is balanced?

A: A chemical equation is balanced if the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.

Q: What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced chemical equation?

A: A balanced chemical equation has the same number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides, while an unbalanced chemical equation has a different number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Q: Can a chemical equation be balanced in more than one way?

A: Yes, a chemical equation can be balanced in more than one way. However, only one of these ways is correct.

Q: How do I determine the correct way to balance a chemical equation?

A: To determine the correct way to balance a chemical equation, follow these steps:

Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
Balance the atoms of each element one by one, starting with the elements that appear first in the equation.
Use the coefficients of the reactants and products to balance the equation.
Check your work by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

Q: What are some common examples of balancing chemical equations?

A: Some common examples of balancing chemical equations include:

The combustion of methane (CH4) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
The reaction between hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2) to produce water (H2O).
The reaction between sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl2) to produce sodium chloride (NaCl).

Conclusion

In conclusion, balancing chemical equations is a crucial step in understanding chemical reactions. By following the steps outlined above, you can balance a chemical equation and ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.