Chemistry
Chemistry
Problem
1 g dry algae absorbs 7.4×10-3 mole of CO2 per sec by photosynthesis. If the fixed carbon atoms were all stored after the photosynthesis as starch (C6H10O5)n, the time required in sec for absorption of CO2 by algae to double its own mass.Intuitive explanation
Photosynthesis converts into organic matter, so you're tracking how much carbon gets locked into starch over time. The key insight is that each mole of absorbed contributes one carbon atom to the starch molecule, and you need to find when the total mass of stored starch equals the original 1 g of algae. Calculate the molar mass of the starch unit, figure out how many moles of starch form per second, then divide the target mass by the rate of mass accumulation.
Intuitive explanation
Photosynthesis converts into organic matter, so you're tracking how much carbon gets locked into starch over time. The key insight is that each mole of absorbed contributes one carbon atom to the starch molecule, and you need to find when the total mass of stored starch equals the original 1 g of algae. Calculate the molar mass of the starch unit, figure out how many moles of starch form per second, then divide the target mass by the rate of mass accumulation.