Here's how to write the balanced equation for the oxidation of sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁):

1. Reactants and Products

* Reactants: Sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁) and oxygen (O₂)

* Products: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O)

2. Unbalanced Equation

C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

3. Balancing by Inspection

* Carbon: There are 12 carbon atoms on the left and 1 on the right. Multiply CO₂ by 12.

* Hydrogen: There are 22 hydrogen atoms on the left and 2 on the right. Multiply H₂O by 11.

* Oxygen: Now count the oxygen atoms on both sides. There are 11 on the left and 35 on the right. Add a coefficient of 12 in front of O₂ to balance the oxygen.

4. Balanced Equation

C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ + 12 O₂ → 12 CO₂ + 11 H₂O

Important Note: This equation represents the complete combustion of sucrose, which typically occurs at high temperatures. In biological systems, sucrose oxidation occurs through a series of steps involving enzymes.