Question

The chemical reaction for photosynthesis is 6 CO2 + 12 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O If the input water is labeled with a radioactive isotope of oxygen, 18O, then the oxygen gas released as the reaction proceeds is also labeled with 18O. Which of the following is the most likely explanation?

Answer 1

Answer: Isotope Oxygen 18 will remain the same before and after the reaction because the amount of neutrons are the same in a isotope

Explanation:

Isotopes 18-17 and 16 are the most stable in earth. Keep in mind that a Isotope is an atom that has equal amount of protons and electrons but neutrons ( as you can see in the imagine below) . That is why, an isotope like oxygen 18 will remain the same in a chemical reaction, because there is only a electron transfer when doing a new molecule.