Final answer:
The molecular weight of fructose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is calculated by summing the atomic weights of the constituent elements, resulting in a molecular weight of 180.18 g/mol.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the molecular weight of fructose, with the formula C₆H₁₂O₆, we need to add up the atomic weights of each element present in the molecule. The atomic weights for carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) are approximately 12.01 g/mol, 1.01 g/mol, and 16.00 g/mol, respectively. For fructose, this would be:
(6 × 12.01 g/mol) for carbon + (12 × 1.01 g/mol) for hydrogen + (6 × 16.00 g/mol) for oxygen
This gives us:
(72.06 g/mol) for carbon + (12.12 g/mol) for hydrogen + (96.00 g/mol) for oxygen = 180.18 g/mol
Therefore, the molecular weight of fructose is 180.18 g/mol, to two figures to the right of the decimal point.