To determine the molarity of the pheromone, we first need to calculate the total amount of methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate that the ant secretes.
Each ant secretes 1.08 ng/gland, and since they have two glands, the total amount secreted by one ant is:
1.08 ng/gland * 2 glands = 2.16 ng
Given that the ant secretes a total solution volume of 30.5 nL, we need to convert the amount of methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate from ng to moles.
The molar mass of methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate is approximately 180.18 g/mol.
2.16 ng = 2.16 * 10^-9 g
Now, we can convert this mass to moles using the molar mass:
2.16 * 10^-9 g / 180.18 g/mol = 1.2 * 10^-11 moles
Finally, we can calculate the molarity of the pheromone:
Molarity = moles / volume (in liters)
Molarity = 1.2 * 10^-11 moles / 30.5 * 10^-9 L
Molarity = 3.93 * 10^-4 M
Therefore, the molarity of the pheromone secreted by the ant is 3.93 * 10^-4 M.
An ant secretes 1.08 ng/gland of methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate as it returns from a food source. Each ant has two secreting glands. Over this period, the ant secretes a total solution volume of 30.5 nL. Determine the molarity of the pheromone.
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