C_6H_12O_6 + H_2O + en ergy -> CO_2 + O_2. How can you identify what is wrong with this equation?

1 Answer
Feb 15, 2017

Well, combustion of carbohydrates produces energy..........and also the equation is not stoichiometrically balanced.

Explanation:

The balanced chemical equation for complete combustion of glucose is:

C_6H_12O_6(s) +6O_2(g) rarr 6CO_2(g) + 6H_2O(l)+Delta

The oxidizing agent is of course "dioxygen", which the given equation also does not include.

Note, is this balanced? For every reactant particle is there a corresponding product particle?

The Delta symbol represents the heat produced in the reaction; i.e. it is an exothermic reaction, in which the strong C=O and O-H bonds FORMED outweigh the C-C, C-H, etc. bonds broken.