Question

As a tree respires, it takes in carbon dioxide, CO2, and water vapor, H2O, from the air while also releasing oxygen, O2. Does the tree lose or gain weight as it respires? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer: the tree gains weight

Step-by-step explanation:

As the tree respires it takes in carbon dioxide whose molecular weight is 44g/mol and H2O whose molecular weight is 18g/mol and releases O2 whose molecular weight is 32g/mol, assuming 1 mol in each case.

Intake =44+18 = 62g

Release = 32g

So, intake is greater than release(output), which means there is accumulation of weight. Thereby the tree gains weight.

And also analyzing from the elements composition,

Intake = carbon, oxygen , hydrogen

Release = Oxygen

Therefore, it accumulates carbon and hydrogen (even if all the oxygen intake is released) which means it will gain weight.

Answer 2

It would gain weight

Step-by-step explanation:

As water only releasing O2 molecules, but intake CO2 and H2O, the combination of molecular mass of CO2 and H2O must be larger than O2 itself. So the overall result is the tree gaining weight at a faster rate that losing weight. Therefore, it would gain more weight as it respires.