Students are asked to create a model of the glucose molecule- CH12O, using marbles of different colors to represent atoms of different types. Below is a table describing the models made by four students. Red marbles Carbon, Yellow marbles - Nitrogen, Blue marbles hydrogen, Green marbles = oxygen

Student Marbles Used for Molecule Model

Color Key

Red carbon

1

5 red, 13 blue, 7 green

Yellow nitrogen

2

3 red, 3 yellow, 3 blue

3

6 red, 12 blue, 6 green

Blue bydrogen

4

17 yellow, 25 red, 37 green

Green oxygen

Which of the following is the most accurate evaluation of these models?

Student 1

student 3

student 2

D student 4

1 answer

To evaluate the students' models of the glucose molecule (C6H12O6), we need to compare the number of marbles used by each student against the theoretical molecular formula of glucose, which consists of:

  • 6 Carbon (C) atoms
  • 12 Hydrogen (H) atoms
  • 6 Oxygen (O) atoms

Now, let’s go through the models created by each student:

  1. Student 1: 5 red (C), 13 blue (H), 7 green (O)

    • Carbon: 5 (needs 6)
    • Hydrogen: 13 (correct)
    • Oxygen: 7 (needs 6)

    This model is close, but it has 1 less Carbon atom and 1 more Oxygen atom than needed.

  2. Student 2: 3 red (C), 3 yellow (N), 3 blue (H)

    • Carbon: 3 (needs 6)
    • Nitrogen: 3 (not needed)
    • Hydrogen: 3 (needs 12)

    This model is not accurate as it includes Nitrogen atoms and has insufficient Carbon and Hydrogen.

  3. Student 3: 6 red (C), 12 blue (H), 6 green (O)

    • Carbon: 6 (correct)
    • Hydrogen: 12 (correct)
    • Oxygen: 6 (correct)

    This model is accurate as it matches the molecular formula of glucose perfectly.

  4. Student 4: 17 yellow (N), 25 red (C), 37 green (O)

    • Nitrogen: 17 (not needed)
    • Carbon: 25 (excessive)
    • Oxygen: 37 (excessive)

    This model is inaccurate as it contains a large number of Nitrogen, excessive Carbon, and excessive Oxygen.

Based on this evaluation, Student 3 created the most accurate model of the glucose molecule, matching the formula C6H12O6.

So, the final answer is: Student 3.