Final answer:
The student observed the process of photosynthesis, which involves converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight. More than 15 grams of reactants are needed to produce 15 grams of glucose and oxygen, due to differing molar masses and stoichiometric ratios.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student observed photosynthesis, a process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is represented by the chemical equation 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2. To produce glucose, plants consume carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil, and with the help of chlorophyll and solar energy, synthesize glucose and release oxygen as a by-product.
If we assume a direct conversion from the mass of reactants to products, which is not actually the case due to the conservation of mass and stoichiometry, Option C) would seem likely because it suggests equal mass for reactants and products. However, real chemical reactions must adhere to the law of conservation of mass, meaning the mass of reactants must equal the mass of products, but the distribution of that mass will be different among the products based on their molecular weights.
To create 15 grams of glucose, a certain mass of carbon dioxide and water is required, but it is not necessarily equal to 15 grams because the molar mass of glucose is different from that of carbon dioxide and water. For example, the molar mass of glucose (C6H12O6) is approximately 180.16 g/mol, while that of O2 is approximately 32 g/mol. According to stoichiometry and the molecular weights, more than 15 grams of CO2 and H2O would actually be needed to produce 15 grams of glucose and oxygen.