Question

A teaspoon of the carbohydrate sucrose contains 16 Calories (16 kcal). What is the mass of one teaspoon of sucrose if the average number of Calories for carbohydrates is 4.1 Calories/g?

a) 3.9 g
b) 4.9 g
c) 2.9 g
d) 1.9 g

Answer 1

The mass of one teaspoon of sucrose is calculated by dividing the total Calories (16 kcal) by the average number of Calories per gram for carbohydrates (4.1 Calories/g), resulting in 3.9 grams.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the mass of one teaspoon of sucrose knowing that it contains 16 Calories and that the average number of Calories for carbohydrates like sucrose is 4.1 Calories/g, we use the following formula:

• Total Calories = (Mass in grams) × (Calories per gram)

We are given that one teaspoon of sucrose contains 16 Calories, so we can rearrange the formula to solve for mass as follows:

• Mass in grams = Total Calories ÷ Calories per gram
• Mass in grams = 16 Calories ÷ 4.1 Calories/g
• Mass in grams = 3.9 g

Therefore, the mass of one teaspoon of sucrose is 3.9 g, which corresponds to answer option (a).