Glucose

Definition

Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as the primary source of energy for the body's cells. It is a monosaccharide, the most basic unit of carbohydrates, and plays a crucial role in the topics of formula mass, the mole concept, and determining empirical and molecular formulas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Glucose has the chemical formula C$_{6}$H$_{12}$O$_{6}$, which is essential for calculating the formula mass and mole concept.
2. The mole concept is used to determine the number of glucose molecules in a given mass or volume, which is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and stoichiometry.
3. Glucose is the most common monosaccharide found in the body and is the primary source of energy for cellular processes.
4. The empirical formula of glucose is CH$_{2}$O, which represents the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in the glucose molecule.
5. Glucose can be used to determine the molecular formula of a compound by analyzing the empirical formula and the molar mass of the compound.

Review Questions

• Explain how the chemical formula of glucose (C$_{6}$H$_{12}$O$_{6}$) is used to calculate its formula mass and the mole concept.
  • The chemical formula of glucose, C$_{6}$H$_{12}$O$_{6}$, provides the information needed to calculate its formula mass. The formula mass is the sum of the atomic masses of the elements in the molecule, which for glucose is 180.16 g/mol. This formula mass is then used in the mole concept, where 1 mole of glucose contains 6.022 x 10^23 glucose molecules, as defined by Avogadro's number. The mole concept allows for the conversion between the mass, number of particles, and volume of a substance, which is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and stoichiometry.
• Describe how the empirical formula of glucose (CH$_{2}$O) is determined and how it relates to the molecular formula.
  • The empirical formula of glucose, CH$_{2}$O, represents the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms present in the glucose molecule. This empirical formula is determined by analyzing the elemental composition of glucose and expressing the ratios of the atoms in the simplest whole number form. The molecular formula of glucose, C$_{6}$H$_{12}$O$_{6}$, can then be determined from the empirical formula by considering the molar mass of glucose and the actual number of each type of atom present in the molecule. The relationship between the empirical and molecular formulas is an important concept for understanding the composition and structure of chemical compounds.
• Evaluate the significance of glucose in the context of formula mass, the mole concept, and determining empirical and molecular formulas.
  • Glucose is a fundamental compound in chemistry due to its central role in these topics. The chemical formula of glucose, C$_{6}$H$_{12}$O$_{6}$, is essential for calculating its formula mass, which is then used in the mole concept to determine the number of glucose molecules in a given mass or volume. This understanding of the mole concept is crucial for studying chemical reactions and stoichiometry. Additionally, the empirical formula of glucose, CH$_{2}$O, represents the simplest whole number ratio of atoms and can be used to determine the molecular formula by considering the molar mass of the compound. The relationship between the empirical and molecular formulas is a key concept for understanding the composition and structure of chemical compounds. Overall, glucose is a pivotal example that demonstrates the interconnectedness of these fundamental chemistry topics.

Related terms

Monosaccharide: The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar unit that cannot be broken down into smaller carbohydrates.

Mole: A unit of measurement that represents the amount of a substance, specifically 6.022 x 10^23 particles (atoms, molecules, or ions).

Empirical Formula: The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound.