Given the thermochemical equation for photosynthesis, 6H2O(l) + 6CO2(g) → C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g) ΔH = +2803 kJ/mol

Question

Calculate the solar energy required to produce 8492 g of C6H12O6.

Answer 1

6H₂O(l) + 6CO₂(g) ==> C₆H₁₂O₆(s) + 6O₂(g) ... ∆H = 2803 kJ/mol

molar mass C₆H₁₂O₆ = 180.2 g / mole

8492 g C₆H₁₂O₆ x 1 mol C₆H₁₂O₆ / 180.2 g = 47.13 moles C₆H₁₂O₆

Energy to produce this = 47.13 mols C₆H₁₂O₆ x 2803 kJ/mol = 132,093 kJ of solar energy = 132.1 MJ