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)
Responses
6
4
8
2
Based on the law of conservation of matter, the missing coefficient for water is 6.
six
To determine the missing coefficient for water in the reaction of cellular respiration, we can look at the balanced equation.
The equation is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + ?H2O + Energy
The equation shows that 6 water molecules are produced.
Therefore, the missing coefficient for water is 6.
To find the missing coefficient for water in the equation for cellular respiration, we can use the law of conservation of matter. According to this law, matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. Therefore, the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation.
Looking at the balanced equation, we see that there are 6 carbon atoms on the right side (6CO2), meaning there must be 6 carbon atoms on the left side as well. Similarly, there are 12 hydrogen atoms on the left side (6H12), so there must also be 12 hydrogen atoms on the right side.
Based on this analysis, we can determine that there must be 6 water molecules (H2O) on the right side of the equation in order to have the same number of hydrogen atoms on both sides. Since each water molecule contains 2 hydrogen atoms, we need a total of 12 hydrogen atoms, which is consistent with the left side of the equation.
Therefore, the missing coefficient for water is 6.