Question

cellular respiration transforms glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and energy. c₆h₁₂o₆ + 6o₂ → 6co₂ +?h₂o + energy based on the law of conservation of matter, what is the missing coefficient for water? (1 point) 2 6 8 4

Explanation:

Step1: Count hydrogen atoms on reactant side

On the left - hand side of the equation $C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2
ightarrow6CO_2+?H_2O + Energy$, in glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$), the number of hydrogen atoms is 12. There are no hydrogen atoms in oxygen ($O_2$). So, the total number of hydrogen atoms on the reactant side is 12.

Step2: Determine coefficient of water

On the product side, hydrogen is only present in water ($H_2O$). Let the coefficient of water be $x$. Each water molecule has 2 hydrogen atoms. So the number of hydrogen atoms in water is $2x$. According to the law of conservation of matter, the number of hydrogen atoms on the reactant side must equal the number of hydrogen atoms on the product side. So, $2x = 12$, which gives $x = 6$.

Answer:

B. 6