Water releases protons. Twelve water molecules will release

Options

A. `24 H^(+)`
B. `48 H^(+)`
C. `12 H^(+)`
D. `6 H^(+)`

Answer

To solve the question of how many protons are released from 12 water molecules, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Water Splitting in Photosynthesis**:
In the light reactions of photosynthesis, water molecules undergo a process called photolysis, where they are split into protons (H+), electrons, and oxygen.

2. **Proton and Electron Release from Water**:
From the process of photolysis, we know that:
- 2 water molecules (H2O) split to release 4 protons (H+) and 4 electrons (e-), along with the release of oxygen (O2).

3. **Calculating Protons from 12 Water Molecules**:
- If 2 water molecules yield 4 protons, we can set up a proportion to find out how many protons 12 water molecules will yield.
- The ratio is:
\[ \text{If } 2 \text{ H2O} \rightarrow 4 \text{ H}^+ \\ \text{Then } 12 \text{ H2O} \rightarrow x \text{ H}^+ \]
- Using the ratio:
\[ \frac{4 \text{ H}^+}{2 \text{ H2O}} = \frac{x \text{ H}^+}{12 \text{ H2O}} \]

4. **Cross-Multiplying to Solve for x**:
- Cross-multiply to find x:
\[ 4 \times 12 = 2 \times x \\ 48 = 2x \\ x = \frac{48}{2} = 24 \]

5. **Conclusion**:
Therefore, 12 water molecules will release **24 protons (H+)**.

### Final Answer:
12 water molecules will release **24 protons**.

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