I do not understand how to right a balanced equation for the combustion of cellulose in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor. I know that cellulose is C6H10O5 but I don't understand how to balance.

Question

Thanking you in advance for your help.

Answer 1

C6H10O5 + O2 ==> CO2 + H2O

Here is what I do. Balance C since you know you must have 6C on the right.
C6H10O5 + O2 ==> 6CO2 + H2O

Next look at H. There are 10 on the left so we need 10 on the right.
C6H10O5 + O2 ==> 6CO2 + 5H2O

Now we know for sure, since the 6 and 5 are on the right are correct, that O must be, from the right, 17 so we need to make it 17 on the left. We already have 5 from the cellulose so we need to add another 12.
C6H10O5 + 6O2 ==> 6CO2 + 5H2O

Now we check it.
C is 6 each side
H is 10 each side
O is 5 + 12 on the left = 17 and 12 + 5 on the right is 17.