H19 (6th Edition) [ENDORSED]

[Claudia Luong 4K]

This question wants us to write the balanced equation for the combustion of the solid C14H18N2O5 to carbon dioxide gas, liquid water, and nitrogen gas. I understand how to balance the reaction, but I need help on starting the equation!

[Claire Guo 1B]

I believe that combustion involves a reaction between the given element and oxygen gas. So just add the Aspartame with O2 (g) and you should get carbon dioxide, liquid water, and nitrogen gas.

[Hailey Boehm 2H]

Hi! to further help you with this chemical equation, I think it should look something like this: C14H18N2O5 + 16 O2 = 14 CO2 + 9 H20 + N2. With this equation, it helps to start with balancing the carbon because it is in less compounds on the products side of the chemical equation as opposed to oxygen and hydrogen. The nitrogen happens to already be balanced. Then you can move on to the oxygen and hydrogen. Hope this helps!

[Shreya Tamatam 3B]

Just to add on, combustion is a reaction in which oxygen gas (O2) is involved. That's how we know that oxygen gas is a reactant and not a product. Usually the reaction results in CO2 and H2O as a product as well. Since the molecular formula for aspartame is provided, we can write the equation out: C14H18N2O5 +O2 --> CO2 + H20 + N2. Then we can go ahead and balance the equation.