Calculating the Molecular Weight of Glucose Polymers

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SUMMARY

The molecular weight of a polymer formed from 5 glucose monomers (C6H12O6) is approximately 828 g/mol. When two glucose molecules bond to form a disaccharide, the process involves the condensation of water molecules, which necessitates subtracting the molar mass of water (18 g/mol) from the total weight. Therefore, the correct answer to the molecular weight calculation is B (828 g/mol), not D (900 g/mol). This discussion clarifies the importance of accounting for water loss during polymer formation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molecular weight calculations
  • Knowledge of glucose chemistry and its structure
  • Familiarity with polymerization processes
  • Basic concepts of disaccharides and condensation reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the molecular weight of common polysaccharides
  • Learn about the process of condensation polymerization
  • Explore the properties and applications of cellulose
  • Study the differences between monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, biochemists, and professionals involved in polymer science or carbohydrate chemistry will benefit from this discussion.

doc.madani
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Glucose (C6H12O6) is a monomer that can form naturally occurring polymers.
What would be the approximate molecular weight of a polymer made from 5 glucose monomers?

a) 810
b) 828
c) 882
d) 900

i said D, but my friend in convincing me its B :S
 
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What happens when two glucose molecules bond together to form a disaccharide?
 
is it cellulose, in which the water molecules are condensed out. therefore you will need to subtract the molar mass of the water molecules from 900 ? hence the answer is B ??
 
Well, I'm not sure that it's necessary cellulose (which to me is a specific condensation, and perhaps more than 5 monomers), but yes, that's the idea.
 

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