The molecular mass of glucose is approximately 180.18 grams per mole (g/mol).
Glucose, a simple sugar, has the chemical formula C6H12O6. To calculate its molecular mass, we need to add the atomic masses of all the atoms present in its molecular formula. The atomic masses are approximately as follows:
- Carbon (C): 12.01 g/mol
- Hydrogen (H): 1.01 g/mol
- Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol
In glucose, there are six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms. Therefore, the calculation is as follows:
Molecular mass of glucose = (6 × 12.01 g/mol) + (12 × 1.01 g/mol) + (6 × 16.00 g/mol)
Calculating this gives:
(6 × 12.01) + (12 × 1.01) + (6 × 16.00) = 72.06 + 12.12 + 96.00 = 180.18 g/mol
This value is essential in various fields, including biochemistry and nutrition, as it helps in understanding how glucose functions as an energy source in living organisms.