Question

When sugar is burned, water vapor and carbon dioxide are produced.

Answer 1

Answer:

12 carbon, 22 hydrogen, 11 oxygen

Explanation:

Our equation is: Sugar + $12O_2$  ⇒  $11H_2O$ + $12CO_2$

This is already balanced which means that the number of atoms for each type of element on each side should be the same.

On the right side, there are 11 * 2 = 22 hydrogen atoms, 11 * 1 + 12 * 2 = 11 + 24 = 35 oxygen atoms, and 12 * 1 = 12 carbon atoms.

Currently on the left, there are 12 * 2 = 24 oxygen atoms. That means that sugar must have 11 oxygen atoms to balance it out. In addition, since the left side currently has no hydrogen or carbon atoms, those must belong to the sugar molecule.

Thus, the sugar molecule has 12 carbon atoms, 22 hydrogen atoms, and 11 oxygen atoms.