Balance CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂
6 CO₂(g) + 6 H₂O(l) → C₆H₁₂O₆(aq) + 6 O₂(g)
Balance an equation
6CO₂(g)+6H₂O(l)→C₆H₁₂O₆(aq)+6O₂(g)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1:6 | 6:6 |
| O | 3:8 | 18:18 |
| H | 2:12 | 12:12 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, C₆H₁₂O₆: put 1 in front of it.
- C: 6 on the right. Put 6 in front of CO₂.
- H: 12 on the right. Put 6 in front of H₂O (6 × 2 = 12).
- O: 18 on the left, 6 already on the right. Put 6 in front of O₂ (6 × 2 = 12).
- Check: C 6 = 6, O 18 = 18, H 12 = 12. Balanced.
What happens
It is photosynthesis: light energy is stored as chemical energy in glucose, so the reaction takes in energy. Green plants make glucose from carbon dioxide and water, and give out oxygen. The energy comes from sunlight, trapped by chlorophyll.
Photosynthesis: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for photosynthesis?
6 CO₂(g) + 6 H₂O(l) → C₆H₁₂O₆(aq) + 6 O₂(g). The coefficients are 6, 6, 1 and 6. Each side then has 6 C, 18 O and 12 H.
What type of reaction is photosynthesis?
It is photosynthesis: light energy is stored as chemical energy in glucose, so the reaction takes in energy. Green plants make glucose from carbon dioxide and water, and give out oxygen. The energy comes from sunlight, trapped by chlorophyll.
How do you balance CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂?
Start with the biggest formula, C₆H₁₂O₆: put 1 in front of it. C: 6 on the right. Put 6 in front of CO₂. H: 12 on the right. Put 6 in front of H₂O (6 × 2 = 12). O: 18 on the left, 6 already on the right. Put 6 in front of O₂ (6 × 2 = 12). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.