How much is the energy efficiency of the process of photosynthesis?

In summary, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into oxygen and glucose. The problem mentioned in the conversation involves calculating the energy efficiency of photosynthesis, which is determined by the amount of useful energy output (112 kcal) compared to the total energy input (8 photons of red light with a wavelength of 6850 Å). The calculated energy efficiency was found to be 4.83 x 10^21%.
  • #1
tiffgraf
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Homework Statement


During photosynthesis found that a plant is necessary to absorb 8 photons of red light with wavelength 6850 Å to produce an O2 molecule. The average energy storage during photosynthesis is 112 kcal per mole O2. Calculate the energy efficiency of the process of photosynthesis.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Help me pleasee to understand this problem and his solution and if you can please be analytic in your answer. Thanks to all will help me I am waiting all to hear you.
 
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  • #2


Hello, thank you for bringing up this interesting topic. I can help you understand the problem and its solution.

The first thing to understand is that photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose (sugar). This process is essential for all living organisms on Earth as it produces oxygen, which is necessary for respiration.

Now, let's look at the problem. It states that in order for a plant to produce one molecule of oxygen (O2), it needs to absorb 8 photons of red light with a wavelength of 6850 Å (angstroms). This means that for every molecule of oxygen produced, 8 photons of red light are used.

Next, the problem mentions the average energy storage during photosynthesis, which is 112 kcal (kilocalories) per mole of oxygen produced. This means that for every mole of oxygen produced, 112 kcal of energy is stored.

To calculate the energy efficiency of photosynthesis, we need to use the formula: Efficiency = (Useful energy output / Total energy input) x 100%.

In this case, the useful energy output is the 112 kcal of energy stored per mole of oxygen produced. The total energy input is the energy of 8 photons of red light with a wavelength of 6850 Å. To calculate the total energy input, we need to use the formula: E = hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength in meters.

Using the given values, we can calculate the energy of one photon to be approximately 2.90 x 10^-19 J (joules). Multiplying this by 8, we get the total energy input to be 2.32 x 10^-18 J.

Now, we can plug these values into the efficiency formula: Efficiency = (112 kcal / 2.32 x 10^-18 J) x 100% = 4.83 x 10^21%.

This means that the energy efficiency of photosynthesis is very high, at 4.83 x 10^21%. This is because plants are able to convert a large amount of energy from sunlight into stored energy in the form of glucose.

I hope this explanation helps you understand the problem and its solution. Let me know if you have any further questions. Keep up the good work in your studies!
 
  • #3


I will approach this problem by first defining the terms and processes involved. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose, a form of stored energy. This process takes place in the chloroplasts of plant cells and is essential for the survival of plants, as well as the production of oxygen in our atmosphere.

The efficiency of a process refers to the ratio of output to input, or how much energy is produced compared to how much is used. In this case, the energy efficiency of photosynthesis would be the ratio of the energy stored in the form of glucose compared to the energy of the light absorbed.

The first step in calculating the energy efficiency of photosynthesis is to convert the given information into standard units. The energy of a photon of light can be calculated using the equation E=hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength of the light. In this case, we are given the wavelength of 6850 Å (angstroms), which can be converted to meters (m) by dividing by 10^10. This gives us a wavelength of 6.85x10^-7 m. Plugging this into the equation, we get E= (6.626x10^-34 J*s)(3.00x10^8 m/s)/(6.85x10^-7 m) = 9.71x10^-20 J.

Next, we need to calculate the total energy absorbed by the plant. Since we are told that 8 photons are necessary to produce one molecule of oxygen (O2), we can multiply the energy of one photon by 8 to get the total energy absorbed, which is 7.77x10^-19 J.

Now, we can calculate the energy efficiency by dividing the energy stored (112 kcal/mole) by the energy absorbed (7.77x10^-19 J). However, we need to convert the units of energy stored from kcal to joules (J). 1 kcal = 4184 J, so 112 kcal = 469,408 J. Dividing this by 7.77x10^-19 J gives us an energy efficiency of 6.03x10^23, which is a very high efficiency.

In conclusion, the energy efficiency of the process of photosynthesis is about 6x10^23. This means that for
 

1. How is energy efficiency measured in photosynthesis?

The energy efficiency of photosynthesis is typically measured by the amount of light energy that is converted into chemical energy, which is known as the quantum yield. This is usually expressed as a percentage, with a higher percentage indicating a more efficient process.

2. What factors can affect the energy efficiency of photosynthesis?

There are several factors that can impact the energy efficiency of photosynthesis, such as the availability of light and carbon dioxide, the presence of enzymes and other proteins involved in the process, and the health and condition of the plant's chloroplasts.

3. How does the type of plant or organism affect the energy efficiency of photosynthesis?

The type of plant or organism can greatly influence the energy efficiency of photosynthesis. Some plants, such as C4 and CAM plants, have evolved specialized methods of photosynthesis that are more efficient in certain environments. Additionally, factors such as leaf structure and pigmentation can also play a role in the energy efficiency of photosynthesis.

4. Can the energy efficiency of photosynthesis be improved?

Scientists are constantly researching and developing methods to improve the energy efficiency of photosynthesis. This includes studying different plant species and their adaptations, as well as experimenting with genetic modifications and environmental factors to optimize the process.

5. How does the energy efficiency of photosynthesis compare to other forms of energy production?

The energy efficiency of photosynthesis is generally considered to be quite high, with some estimates placing it at around 95%. However, this efficiency can vary depending on the specific conditions and factors involved. Compared to other forms of energy production, such as fossil fuels, photosynthesis is relatively low impact and sustainable.

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