Answer :
The mass of carbon in 38.6 g of glucose is calculated by finding the percentage of carbon in one mole of glucose and then applying that percentage to the given mass of glucose. The correct answer is 15.4 g of carbon.
To calculate how many grams of carbon are in 38.6 g of glucose (C6H12O6), we must first determine the percentage of carbon in glucose by its molar mass.
Glucose has a molar mass of about 180.16 g/mol (6 * 12.0 for carbon + 12 * 1.0 for hydrogen + 6 * 16.0 for oxygen).
Since carbon has a molar mass of 12 g/mol and there are six carbon atoms in glucose, the total mass of carbon in one mole of glucose is 72 g (6 * 12 g/mol).
Next, we calculate the percentage of carbon in glucose by the equation:
(72 g C / 180.16 g glucose) * 100 = 39.96%
Then, to find out the mass of carbon in 38.6 g of glucose:
38.6 g glucose * 39.96% = 15.4 g of carbon
Therefore, the answer is b. 15.4 grams of carbon.