C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ + 12O₂ → 12CO₂ + 11H₂O
Here's what the equation tells us:
* C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁: This represents one molecule of sucrose.
* 12O₂: This represents twelve molecules of oxygen gas, which is the reactant necessary for combustion.
* 12CO₂: This represents twelve molecules of carbon dioxide, a product of combustion.
* 11H₂O: This represents eleven molecules of water, another product of combustion.
This equation is balanced because the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side (left) equals the number of atoms of that element on the product side (right):
* Carbon (C): 12 on each side
* Hydrogen (H): 22 on each side
* Oxygen (O): 35 on each side
This balanced equation represents the complete combustion of sucrose, where it reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy in the form of heat and light.
