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Ch.6 Carbohydrates–Life’s Sweet Molecules
Chapter 3, Problem 6.51

Write the molecular formula for a carbohydrate containing three carbons.

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1
Identify the general formula for carbohydrates, which is \( C_n(H_2O)_n \).
Determine the number of carbon atoms given in the problem, which is 3.
Substitute the number of carbon atoms into the general formula: \( n = 3 \).
Write the molecular formula by replacing \( n \) with 3 in the general formula: \( C_3(H_2O)_3 \).
Simplify the formula by distributing the subscript to each element in the water molecule: \( C_3H_6O_3 \).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a ratio of 1:2:1. They serve as a primary energy source for living organisms and are classified into simple sugars (monosaccharides) and complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides). Understanding their structure and function is essential for identifying their molecular formulas.
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Molecular Formula

A molecular formula represents the number and types of atoms in a molecule, indicating the specific elements and their quantities. For carbohydrates, the general formula is Cn(H2O)n, where 'n' represents the number of carbon atoms. This formula helps in determining the composition of the carbohydrate based on its carbon count.
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Molecular Formula

Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units. A carbohydrate with three carbons is specifically known as a triose, which can be represented by the molecular formula C3H6O3. Examples include glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone, which are important in metabolic processes.
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