Question

What’s the balanced equation of CO2 + H2O → C6H12O6 + O2?

(a) CO2 + H2O → C6H12O6 + O2

(b) 6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2

(c) 6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 2 O2

(d) 3 CO2 + 2H2O → C6H12O6 + O2

This question was addressed to me in a national level competition.

My question is taken from Stoichiometry and Stoichiometric Calculations topic in division Chemistry Basic Concepts of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

Right option is (b) 6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2

Easy explanation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 is the balanced equation because the number of atoms of different elements is the same on both sides. Rest of them do not have an equal number of atoms of different elements on both sides.