Final answer:
The relative speed of diffusion between furaneol and putrescine is determined by comparing their molecular weights. Putrescine, having a lower molecular weight, will diffuse faster than furaneol, making option b) the correct choice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relative speed of diffusion of furaneol to putrescine depends on the molecular weights of the two compounds. According to Graham's Law, the rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass. This implies that lighter molecules diffuse faster than heavier molecules. Since furaneol and putrescine have different molecular weights, the one with the lesser molecular weight will diffuse more rapidly.
Furaneol, also known as strawberry furanone, has a molecular weight of about 128 g/mol whereas putrescine has a molecular weight of about 88 g/mol. Given this information, putrescine, being the lighter molecule, will diffuse faster than furaneol. Therefore, option b) Putrescine diffuses faster than furaneol is the correct answer.