Carbohydrates (such as C6H12O6) undergo combustion with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Living things use this reaction (a process called respiration) to produce energy.
Determine the mass of carbohydrates consumed for every 0.300 mol of oxygen gas consumed during respiration.
To determine the mass of carbohydrates consumed for every 0.300 mol of oxygen gas consumed during respiration, we need to consider the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of carbohydrates. In this case, we'll use the example of glucose (C6H12O6), which is a common carbohydrate.
The balanced equation for the combustion of glucose can be represented as:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
From the equation, we can see that 1 mole of glucose reacts with 6 moles of oxygen gas to produce 6 moles of carbon dioxide and 6 moles of water.
We have been given that 0.300 moles of oxygen gas is consumed during respiration. Since the ratio of oxygen to glucose is 6:1, we can calculate the number of moles of glucose consumed using the following proportion:
0.300 mol O2 / 6 mol O2 per 1 mol C6H12O6 = x mol C6H12O6
Simplifying the ratio, we get:
0.300 mol O2 / 6 = x mol C6H12O6
x = (0.300 mol O2) / 6
x ≈ 0.050 mol C6H12O6
Therefore, approximately 0.050 moles of glucose (carbohydrates) are consumed for every 0.300 moles of oxygen gas consumed during respiration.
To find the mass of carbohydrates consumed, we'll multiply the number of moles by the molar mass of glucose.
The molar mass of glucose (C6H12O6) can be calculated as follows:
(6 * atomic mass of C) + (12 * atomic mass of H) + (6 * atomic mass of O)
= (6 * 12.01 g/mol) + (12 * 1.008 g/mol) + (6 * 16.00 g/mol)
≈ 72.06 g/mol
Using this molar mass, we can calculate the mass of carbohydrates consumed as:
Mass of carbohydrates = number of moles * molar mass
Mass = 0.050 mol * 72.06 g/mol
Mass ≈ 3.6 grams
So, approximately 3.6 grams of carbohydrates are consumed for every 0.300 moles of oxygen gas consumed during respiration.