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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Biochemistry and Chemical Biology Forum => Topic started by: metalgearrex21 on October 12, 2020, 04:07:00 PM

Title: Stoichiometry balance help
Post by: metalgearrex21 on October 12, 2020, 04:07:00 PM

Would anyone be able to assist me with the problem below. Have to take this engineering module as part of my degree and just struggling at the moment with it.

https://imgur.com/WF1SijD

Just in the first part of the question when it asks to write and balance the equation. I just want to make sure I am using the correct equation.

C6 H12 06 + NH3 = C5 H7 NO2 + CO2 + H20

(Glucose) + (Ammonia) = (Cells) + (Carbon dioxide) + (Water)

This is the equation I wrote myself and I am not sure if it is correct? I think I will be fine to balance it and do the other questions but I just want to make sure I am using the right equation before doing any calculations. If anyone could point me in the right direction please :)

Title: Re: Stoichiometry balance help
Post by: Babcock_Hall on October 12, 2020, 07:20:22 PM

That looks OK to me, but as you say, it is not balanced yet.

Title: Re: Stoichiometry balance help
Post by: metalgearrex21 on October 16, 2020, 12:04:01 PM

Balanced it out and got 5C6H12O6 + 6NH3 = 5C5H7NO2 + CO2 + 18H2O

But I think the equation in general is wrong as the second question asks for the respiratory quotient and the formula for it is moles of CO2 produced/moles of O2 consumed...Why I am second guessing myself...

Title: Re: Stoichiometry balance help
Post by: AWK on October 16, 2020, 03:16:03 PM

This reaction is poorly balanced. Try addition of  oxygen on the left side of the equation.

Title: Re: Stoichiometry balance help
Post by: metalgearrex21 on October 17, 2020, 05:04:20 AM

Ok so re did it and got C6H12O6 + O2 + NH3 => C5H7NO2 + CO2 + 4H2O.

This would then give me an RQ of 1. So I think I am on the right track with that balance.

Title: Re: Stoichiometry balance help
Post by: AWK on October 17, 2020, 05:08:44 AM

Balancing is OK.