Understanding the Carbon Atoms in Glucose Molecules

Glucose, a vital sugar that plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, is composed of a specific number of carbon atoms. In this article, we will explore the detailed breakdown of how to calculate the number of carbon atoms present in a gram of glucose, along with a thorough explanation of its molecular structure.

The Molecular Structure of Glucose

Glucose, with the chemical formula C6H12O6, is a simple sugar molecule. Each molecule of glucose contains 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms. This compound is a key component in various biological processes, especially as a source of energy.

Calculation of Carbon Atoms in Glucose

To determine the number of carbon atoms in a certain mass of glucose, we first need to understand the molar mass of glucose and then apply the necessary calculations.

Calculation Steps

Molar mass calculation: The molar mass of glucose (C6H12O6) is calculated as follows: C (carbon): 12.01 g/mol H (hydrogen): 1.008 g/mol O (oxygen): 15.999 g/mol Total molar mass: 6 × 12.011 g/mol (C) 12 × 1.008 g/mol (H) 6 × 15.999 g/mol (O) 180.156 g/mol Calculate moles of glucose: Using the given mass (0.7250 g) and molar mass (180.156 g/mol):

n m/M 0.7250 g / 180.156 g/mol 0.00402429006 mol

Calculate carbon atoms: Since there are 6 carbon atoms in one molecule of glucose:

0.00402429006 mol × 6 mol C atoms/mol CHO × 6.022 × 1023 C atoms/mol C 1.454 × 1022 C atoms (to four significant figures)

Verification of Calculations

Multiple calculations have been performed to verify the number of carbon atoms in different masses of glucose:

1. For 18 grams of glucose (6.022 x 1023 molecules of glucose): Each molecule has 6 carbon atoms. Total carbon atoms: 6.022 x 1023 molecules × 6 C atoms/molecule 3.613 x 1024 C atoms

2. For 2.00 grams of glucose (6.69 x 1021 molecules of glucose): Each molecule has 6 carbon atoms. Total carbon atoms: 6.69 x 1021 molecules × 6 C atoms/molecule 4.014 x 1022 C atoms

Conclusion

Understanding the molecular structure of glucose is fundamental for various scientific and biochemical applications. The detailed calculation shows that the number of carbon atoms in a given amount of glucose can be determined using the molar mass and Avogadro's number. This knowledge is essential for scientists, biochemists, and anyone interested in the intricate workings of biological systems.

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