Question

Write a balanced chemical equation for the fermentation of sucrose (C12H22O11) by yeasts in which the aqueous sugar reacts with water to form aqueous ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) and carbon dioxide gas.

Answer 1

Answer:

$C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}(aq)+H_{2}O(aq)=4C_{2}H_{5}OH(aq)+4CO_{2}(g)$

Explanation:

1. First write the formula of each compound:

Sucrose : $C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}$

Water : $H_{2}O$

Ethyl alcohol : $C_{2}H_{5}OH$

Carbon dioxide : $CO_{2}$

2. Write the equation with the reactants on the left and the products on the right:

$C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}+H_{2}O=C_{2}H_{5}OH+CO_{2}$

3. Put the states of matter of each compound in the reaction, as the problem says:

$C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}(aq)+H_{2}O(aq)=C_{2}H_{5}OH(aq)+CO_{2}(g)$

aq = aqueous solution

g =  gas

4. Balance each element.

The number of each atom must be the same on the left and on the right.

$C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}(aq)+H_{2}O(aq)=4C_{2}H_{5}OH(aq)+4CO_{2}(g)$