Balance C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O
C₆H₁₂O₆(aq) + 6 O₂(aq) → 6 CO₂(aq) + 6 H₂O(l)
Balance an equation
C₆H₁₂O₆(aq)+6O₂(aq)→6CO₂(aq)+6H₂O(l)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| C | 6:1 | 6:6 |
| H | 12:2 | 12:12 |
| O | 8:3 | 18:18 |
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 left. Put 6 in front of CO₂.
- H: 12 on the left. Put 6 in front of H₂O (6 × 2 = 12).
- O: 18 on the right, 6 already on the left. Put 6 in front of O₂ (6 × 2 = 12).
- Check: C 6 = 6, H 12 = 12, O 18 = 18. Balanced.
What happens
It is respiration, an exothermic reaction: the energy stored in glucose is released. Glucose is broken down with oxygen in our cells to release energy. It is the combustion of glucose, done slowly and in steps.
Respiration: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for respiration?
C₆H₁₂O₆(aq) + 6 O₂(aq) → 6 CO₂(aq) + 6 H₂O(l). The coefficients are 1, 6, 6 and 6. Each side then has 6 C, 12 H and 18 O.
What type of reaction is respiration?
It is respiration, an exothermic reaction: the energy stored in glucose is released. Glucose is broken down with oxygen in our cells to release energy. It is the combustion of glucose, done slowly and in steps.
How do you balance C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O?
Start with the biggest formula, C₆H₁₂O₆: put 1 in front of it. C: 6 on the left. Put 6 in front of CO₂. H: 12 on the left. Put 6 in front of H₂O (6 × 2 = 12). O: 18 on the right, 6 already on the left. Put 6 in front of O₂ (6 × 2 = 12). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.