Chapter 8, Problem 8.33FU

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

A balanced chemical equation for the oxidation of glucose needs to be represented.

Concept Introduction:

• Combustion is a process in which a compound reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water
• A chemical reaction is said to be balanced if there are equal number of atoms of one kind in the reactants and products

Answer to Problem 8.33FU

  ${\text{C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}{\text{ + 6O}}_{\text{2}}\to {\text{ 6CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{ + 6H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O + Energy}$

Explanation of Solution

The chemical reaction that takes place during cellular respiration is the combustion of glucose to yield carbon dioxide and water along with the release of energy. The unbalanced reaction can be written as:

  ${\text{C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}{\text{ + O}}_{\text{2}}\to {\text{ CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{ + H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O + Energy}$

The equation is not balanced since the number of C, H and O atoms in the reactants are 6, 12 and 8 respectively while that on the products are 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In order to balance the equation, multiply O₂ on the reactants by 6 and both CO₂ and H₂O on the products by 6 to get:

  ${\text{C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}{\text{ + 6O}}_{\text{2}}\to {\text{ 6CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{ + 6H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O + Energy}$

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

A balanced chemical equation depicting the production of glucose in plants needs to be represented.

Concept Introduction:

• In plants, glucose is produced by the process of photosynthesis which involves the reaction of carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight.
• A chemical reaction is said to be balanced if there are equal number of atoms of one kind in the reactants and products

Answer to Problem 8.33FU

  ${\text{6CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{ + 6H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O + Sunlight (energy) }\to {\text{ C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}{\text{ + 6O}}_{\text{2}}$

Explanation of Solution

The chemical reaction that takes place during photosynthesis is the combination of carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light to produce glucose and release oxygen. The unbalanced reaction can be written as:

  ${\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{ + H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O + Energy }\to {\text{ C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}{\text{ + O}}_{\text{2}}$

The equation is not balanced since the number of C, H and O atoms in the reactants are 1, 2 and 3 respectively while that on the products are 6, 12 and 8 respectively. In order to balance the equation, multiply CO₂ and H₂O on the reactants by 6and O₂ on the products by 6 to get:

  ${\text{6CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{ + 6H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O + Sunlight (energy) }\to {\text{ C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}{\text{ + 6O}}_{\text{2}}$