Question

In a common reaction in living things, glucose combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water vapor. In an experiment on this reaction, the masses of all four substances are measured. This data table shows the measurements.

Which change to the reaction would allow more than 81 grams of water vapor to be produced?

Responses

Use more glucose in the reaction.
Use more glucose in the reaction.

Combine the reactants at a lower temperature.
Combine the reactants at a lower temperature.

Use less glucose in the reaction.
Use less glucose in the reaction.

Combine the reactants at a higher temperature.
Combine the reactants at a higher temperature.
Compound Mass
Glucose (reactant) 135 grams
Oxygen (reactant) 144 grams
Carbon dioxide (product) 198 grams
Water vapor (product) 81 grams

Answer 1

In the given reaction where glucose combines with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor, the amount of each product formed is determined by the amounts of reactants available.

According to the information provided, the reactants are 135 grams of glucose and 144 grams of oxygen. Based on the principle of conservation of mass and stoichiometry, the amounts of the products (carbon dioxide and water vapor) are dependent on the limiting reactant.

To produce more than 81 grams of water vapor, the best response would be:

**Use more glucose in the reaction.**

By increasing the amount of glucose, you are likely to drive the reaction forward more fully, thus allowing for more water vapor to be produced, as long as there is still enough oxygen present to react with it. The other options may not result in greater water vapor production: using less glucose would decrease the amount produced, and changing the temperature (either lower or higher) may not necessarily increase the amount of water vapor if the reaction does not favor the formation of water under those conditions.