Consider the chemical equation for the combustion of sugar. _C6H12O6(s) + _O2(g) Right arrow. _CO2(g) + _H2O(l) Which sequence of coefficients should be placed in the blanks to balance this equation?

1C₆H₁₂O₆(s) + 6O₂(g) → 6CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(l)

Explanation:

In general equation combustions where all carbon produce CO₂ and all hydrogen H₂O we must begin the balance with these two species:

_C₆H₁₂O₆(s) + _O₂(g) → _CO₂(g) + _H₂O(l)

If sugar is 1, CO₂ and H₂O must be:

1C₆H₁₂O₆(s) + _O₂(g) → 6CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(l)

Thus, C and H are balanced. In the right side we have 12 oxygen from CO₂ + 6 oxygen from H₂O = 18 oxygen

In the left there are 6, thus, O₂ must provide 12 oxygens, thus:

And this is the balanced reaction