Formula Mass and the Mole Concept

Learning Outcomes

Calculate formula masses for covalent and ionic compounds
Define the amount unit mole and the related quantity Avogadro’s number
Explain the relation between mass, moles, and numbers of atoms or molecules, and perform calculations deriving these quantities from one another

We can argue that modern chemical science began when scientists started exploring the quantitative as well as the qualitative aspects of chemistry. For example, Dalton’s atomic theory was an attempt to explain the results of measurements that allowed him to calculate the relative masses of elements combined in various compounds. Understanding the relationship between the masses of atoms and the chemical formulas of compounds allows us to quantitatively describe the composition of substances.

Formula Mass

Earlier, we described the development of the atomic mass unit, the concept of average atomic masses, and the use of chemical formulas to represent the elemental makeup of substances. These ideas can be extended to calculate the formula mass of a substance by summing the average atomic masses of all the atoms represented in the substance’s formula.

Formula Mass for Covalent Substances

For covalent substances, the formula represents the numbers and types of atoms composing a single molecule of the substance; therefore, the formula mass may be correctly referred to as a molecular mass. Consider chloroform (CHCl₃), a covalent compound once used as a surgical anesthetic and now primarily used in the production of the “anti-stick” polymer, Teflon. The molecular formula of chloroform indicates that a single molecule contains one carbon atom, one hydrogen atom, and three chlorine atoms. The average molecular mass of a chloroform molecule is therefore equal to the sum of the average atomic masses of these atoms. Figure 1 outlines the calculations used to derive the molecular mass of chloroform, which is 119.37 amu.

A table and diagram are shown. The table is made up of six columns and five rows. The header row reads: “Element,” “Quantity,” a blank space, “Average atomic mass (a m u),” a blank space, and “Subtotal (a m u).” The first column contains the symbols “C,” “H,” “C l” and a blank, merged cell that runs the width of the first five columns. The second column contains the numbers “1,” “1,” and “3” as well as the merged cell. The third column contains the multiplication symbol in each cell except for the last, merged cell. The fourth column contains the numbers “12.01,” “1.008,” and “35.45” as well as the merged cell. The fifth column contains the symbol “=” in each cell except for the last, merged cell. The sixth column contains the values “12.01,” “1.008,” “106.35,” and “119.37.” There is a thick black line below the number 106.35. The merged cell under the first five columns reads “Molecular mass.” To the left of the table is a diagram of a molecule. Three green spheres are attached to a slightly smaller black sphere, which is also attached to a smaller white sphere. The green spheres lie beneath and to the sides of the black sphere while the white sphere is located straight up from the black sphere.

Figure 1. The average mass of a chloroform molecule, CHCl₃, is 119.37 amu, which is the sum of the average atomic masses of each of its constituent atoms. The model shows the molecular structure of chloroform.

Likewise, the molecular mass of an aspirin molecule, C₉H₈O₄, is the sum of the atomic masses of nine carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms, which amounts to 180.15 amu (Figure 2).

Figure 2. The average mass of an aspirin molecule is 180.15 amu. The model shows the molecular structure of aspirin, C₉H₈O₄.

Example 1: Computing Molecular Mass for a Covalent Compound

Ibuprofen, C₁₃H₁₈O₂, is a covalent compound and the active ingredient in several popular nonprescription pain medications, such as Advil and Motrin. What is the molecular mass (amu) for this compound?

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Check Your Learning

Acetaminophen, C₈H₉NO₂, is a covalent compound and the active ingredient in several popular nonprescription pain medications, such as Tylenol. What is the molecular mass (amu) for this compound?

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Formula Mass for Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are composed of discrete cations and anions combined in ratios to yield electrically neutral bulk matter. The formula mass for an ionic compound is calculated in the same way as the formula mass for covalent compounds: by summing the average atomic masses of all the atoms in the compound’s formula. Keep in mind, however, that the formula for an ionic compound does not represent the composition of a discrete molecule, so it may not correctly be referred to as the “molecular mass.”

As an example, consider sodium chloride, NaCl, the chemical name for common table salt. Sodium chloride is an ionic compound composed of sodium cations, Na⁺, and chloride anions, Cl^–, combined in a 1:1 ratio. The formula mass for this compound is computed as 58.44 amu (see Figure 3).

A table and diagram are shown. The table is made up of six columns and four rows. The header row reads: “Element,” “Quantity,” a blank space, “Average atomic mass (a m u),” a blank space and “Subtotal (a m u).” The first column contains the symbols “N a”, “C l,” and a merged cell. The merged cell runs the length of the first five columns. The second column contains the numbers “1” and “1” as well as the merged cell. The third column contains the multiplication symbol in each cell except for the last, merged cell. The fourth column contains the numbers “22.99” and “35.45” as well as the merged cell. The fifth column contains the symbol “=” in each cell except for the last, merged cell. The sixth column contains the values “22.99,” “35.45,” and “58.44.” There is a thick black line below the number “35.45.” The merged cell under the first five columns reads “Formula mass.” To the left of the table is a diagram of a chemical structure. The diagram shows green and purple spheres placed in an alternating pattern, making up the corners of eight stacked cubes to form one larger cube. The green spheres are slightly smaller than the purple spheres.

Figure 3. Table salt, NaCl, contains an array of sodium and chloride ions combined in a 1:1 ratio. Its formula mass is 58.44 amu.

Note that the average masses of neutral sodium and chlorine atoms were used in this computation, rather than the masses for sodium cations and chlorine anions. This approach is perfectly acceptable when computing the formula mass of an ionic compound. Even though a sodium cation has a slightly smaller mass than a sodium atom (since it is missing an electron), this difference will be offset by the fact that a chloride anion is slightly more massive than a chloride atom (due to the extra electron). Moreover, the mass of an electron is negligibly small with respect to the mass of a typical atom. Even when calculating the mass of an isolated ion, the missing or additional electrons can generally be ignored, since their contribution to the overall mass is negligible, reflected only in the nonsignificant digits that will be lost when the computed mass is properly rounded. The few exceptions to this guideline are very light ions derived from elements with precisely known atomic masses.

Example 2: Computing Formula Mass for an Ionic Compound

Aluminum sulfate, Al₂(SO₄)₃, is an ionic compound that is used in the manufacture of paper and in various water purification processes. What is the formula mass (amu) of this compound?

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Check Your Learning

Calcium phosphate, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, is an ionic compound and a common anti-caking agent added to food products. What is the formula mass (amu) of calcium phosphate?

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The Mole

The identity of a substance is defined not only by the types of atoms or ions it contains, but by the quantity of each type of atom or ion. For example, water, H₂O, and hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂, are alike in that their respective molecules are composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. However, because a hydrogen peroxide molecule contains two oxygen atoms, as opposed to the water molecule, which has only one, the two substances exhibit very different properties. Today, we possess sophisticated instruments that allow the direct measurement of these defining microscopic traits; however, the same traits were originally derived from the measurement of macroscopic properties (the masses and volumes of bulk quantities of matter) using relatively simple tools (balances and volumetric glassware). This experimental approach required the introduction of a new unit for amount of substances, the mole, which remains indispensable in modern chemical science.

The mole is an amount unit similar to familiar units like pair, dozen, gross, etc. It provides a specific measure of the number of atoms or molecules in a bulk sample of matter. One Latin connotation for the word “mole” is “large mass” or “bulk,” which is consistent with its use as the name for this unit. The mole provides a link between an easily measured macroscopic property, bulk mass, and an extremely important fundamental property, number of atoms, molecules, and so forth. A mole of a substance is that amount in which there are [latex]6.02214179\times {10}^{23}[/latex] discrete entities (atoms or molecules). This larger number is a fundamental constant known as Avogadro’s number (N_A) or the Avogadro constant in honor of Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro. This constant is properly reported with an explicit unit of “per mole,” a conveniently rounded version being [latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}\text{/mol}[/latex].

Consistent with its definition as an amount unit, 1 mole of any element contains the same number of atoms as 1 mole of any other element. The masses of 1 mole of different elements, however, are different, since the masses of the individual atoms are drastically different. The molar mass of an element (or compound) is the mass in grams of 1 mole of that substance, a property expressed in units of grams per mole (g/mol) (see Figure 4).

This figure contains eight different substances displayed on white circles. The amount of each substance is visibly different.

Figure 4. Each sample contains 6.022 × 10²³ atoms—1.00 mol of atoms. From left to right (top row): 65.4g zinc, 12.0g carbon, 24.3g magnesium, and 63.5g copper. From left to right (bottom row): 32.1g sulfur, 28.1g silicon, 207g lead, and 118.7g tin. (credit: modification of work by Mark Ott)

The molar mass of any substance is numerically equivalent to its atomic or formula weight in amu. Per the amu definition, a single ¹²C atom weighs 12 amu (its atomic mass is 12 amu). A mole of ¹²C weighs 12 g (its molar mass is 12 g/mol). This relationship holds for all elements, since their atomic masses are measured relative to that of the amu-reference substance, ¹²C. Extending this principle, the molar mass of a compound in grams is likewise numerically equivalent to its formula mass in amu (Figure 5).

This photo shows two vials filled with a colorless liquid. It also shows two bowls: one filled with an off-white powder and one filled with a bright red powder.

Figure 5. Each sample contains 6.02 × 10²³ molecules or formula units—1.00 mol of the compound or element. Clock-wise from the upper left: 130.2g of C₈H₁₇OH (1-octanol, formula mass 130.2 amu), 454.9g of HgI₂ (mercury(II) iodide, formula mass 459.9 amu), 32.0g of CH₃OH (methanol, formula mass 32.0 amu) and 256.5g of S₈ (sulfur, formula mass 256.6 amu). (credit: Sahar Atwa)

Element	Average Atomic Mass (amu)	Molar Mass (g/mol)	Atoms/Mole
C	12.01	12.01	[latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex]
H	1.008	1.008	[latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex]
O	16.00	16.00	[latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex]
Na	22.99	22.99	[latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex]
Cl	35.45	35.45	[latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex]

While atomic mass and molar mass are numerically equivalent, keep in mind that they are vastly different in terms of scale, as represented by the vast difference in the magnitudes of their respective units (amu versus g). To appreciate the enormity of the mole, consider a small drop of water weighing about 0.03 g (see Figure 6). Although this represents just a tiny fraction of 1 mole of water (~18 g), it contains more water molecules than can be clearly imagined. If the molecules were distributed equally among the roughly seven billion people on earth, each person would receive more than 100 billion molecules.

A close-up photo of a water droplet on a leaf is shown. The water droplet is not perfectly spherical.

Figure 6. The number of molecules in a single droplet of water is roughly 100 billion times greater than the number of people on earth.

The mole is used in chemistry to represent [latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex] of something, but it can be difficult to conceptualize such a large number. Watch this video to learn more.

You can view the transcript for “How big is a mole? (Not the animal, the other one.) – Daniel Dulek” here (opens in new window).

The relationships between formula mass, the mole, and Avogadro’s number can be applied to compute various quantities that describe the composition of substances and compounds, as demonstrated in the next several example problems.

Example 3: Deriving Moles from Grams for an Element

According to nutritional guidelines from the US Department of Agriculture, the estimated average requirement for dietary potassium is 4.7 g. What is the estimated average requirement of potassium in moles?

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Check Your Learning

Beryllium is a light metal used to fabricate transparent X-ray windows for medical imaging instruments. How many moles of Be are in a thin-foil window weighing 3.24 g?

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Example 4: Deriving Grams from Moles for an Element

A liter of air contains [latex]9.2\times {10}^{-4}[/latex] mol argon. What is the mass of Ar in a liter of air?

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Check Your Learning

What is the mass of 2.561 mol of gold?

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Example 5: Deriving Number of Atoms from Mass for an Element

Copper is commonly used to fabricate electrical wire (Figure 7). How many copper atoms are in 5.00 g of copper wire?

A close-up photo of a spool of copper wire is shown.

Figure 7. Copper wire is composed of many, many atoms of Cu. (credit: Emilian Robert Vicol)

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Check Your Learning

A prospector panning for gold in a river collects 15.00 g of pure gold. How many Au atoms are in this quantity of gold?

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Example 6: Deriving Moles from Grams for a Compound

Our bodies synthesize protein from amino acids. One of these amino acids is glycine, which has the molecular formula C₂H₅O₂N. How many moles of glycine molecules are contained in 28.35 g of glycine?

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Check Your Learning

How many moles of sucrose, C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁, are in a 25-g sample of sucrose?

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Example 7: Deriving Grams from Moles for a Compound

Vitamin C is a covalent compound with the molecular formula C₆H₈O₆. The recommended daily dietary allowance of vitamin C for children aged 4–8 years is [latex]1.42\times {10}^{-4}\text{mol.}[/latex] What is the mass of this allowance in grams?

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Check Your Learning

What is the mass of 0.443 mol of hydrazine, N₂H₄?

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Example 8: Deriving the Number of Atoms and Molecules from the Mass of a Compound

A packet of an artificial sweetener contains 40.0 mg of saccharin (C₇H₅NO₃S), which has the structural formula:

Given that saccharin has a molar mass of 183.18 g/mol, how many saccharin molecules are in a 40.0-mg (0.0400-g) sample of saccharin? How many carbon atoms are in the same sample?

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Check Your Learning

How many C₄H₁₀ molecules are contained in 9.213 g of this compound? How many hydrogen atoms?

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Connection: Counting Neurotransmitter Molecules in the Brain

The brain is the control center of the central nervous system (Figure 8). It sends and receives signals to and from muscles and other internal organs to monitor and control their functions; it processes stimuli detected by sensory organs to guide interactions with the external world; and it houses the complex physiological processes that give rise to our intellect and emotions. The broad field of neuroscience spans all aspects of the structure and function of the central nervous system, including research on the anatomy and physiology of the brain. Great progress has been made in brain research over the past few decades, and the BRAIN Initiative, a federal initiative announced in 2013, aims to accelerate and capitalize on these advances through the concerted efforts of various industrial, academic, and government agencies (more details available at the NIH website).

Two pictures are shown. The left picture shows the human brain. The right picture is a microscopic image that depicts two large irregularly shaped masses in a field of threadlike material interspersed with smaller, relatively round masses. The two larger masses are labeled with arrows and the phrase “Neuron cells.”

Figure 8. (a) A typical human brain weighs about 1.5 kg and occupies a volume of roughly 1.1 L. (b) Information is transmitted in brain tissue and throughout the central nervous system by specialized cells called neurons (micrograph shows cells at 1600× magnification).

Specialized cells called neurons transmit information between different parts of the central nervous system by way of electrical and chemical signals. Chemical signaling occurs at the interface between different neurons when one of the cells releases molecules (called neurotransmitters) that diffuse across the small gap between the cells (called the synapse) and bind to the surface of the other cell. These neurotransmitter molecules are stored in small intracellular structures called vesicles that fuse to the cell wall and then break open to release their contents when the neuron is appropriately stimulated. This process is called exocytosis (see Figure 9). One neurotransmitter that has been very extensively studied is dopamine, C₈H₁₁NO₂. Dopamine is involved in various neurological processes that impact a wide variety of human behaviors. Dysfunctions in the dopamine systems of the brain underlie serious neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and schizophrenia.

Two diagrams are shown. In the upper left corner of the left diagram, an oval with a darkened center that has five short, branching appendages and one long tail-like appendage is shown and connected by an arrow to another image. This image depicts a close-up view of the oval section and its interaction with the tail-like portion of a similar structure. The close up view is composed of a narrow tube labeled “neuron” leading down to a bulbous base that holds thirteen circles filled with small dots. These circles are labeled “vesicles.” The base of the bulbous structure is next to a curved object labeled “neuron” and very small dots are emerging from the bulb’s base and flowing toward the curved structure. The gap in between the two structures is labeled “synapse,” and the small dots are labeled “neurotransmitters.” The diagram on the right depicts a molecule composed of six black spheres connected by alternating double and single bonds in a hexagonal ring with other spheres attached to it. Three of the black spheres are connected to one smaller, white sphere each. Two of the black balls are connected to a smaller red sphere each. Each red sphere is connected to a smaller, white sphere. One black sphere is connected to another black sphere. It is connected to two smaller, white spheres and another black sphere. This second black sphere is connected to two smaller white spheres, and a slightly smaller blue sphere. The blue sphere is connected to two smaller, white spheres.

Figure 9. (a) Chemical signals are transmitted from neurons to other cells by the release of neurotransmitter molecules into the small gaps (synapses) between the cells. (b) Dopamine, C₈H₁₁NO₂, is a neurotransmitter involved in a number of neurological processes.

One important aspect of the complex processes related to dopamine signaling is the number of neurotransmitter molecules released during exocytosis. Since this number is a central factor in determining neurological response (and subsequent human thought and action), it is important to know how this number changes with certain controlled stimulations, such as the administration of drugs. It is also important to understand the mechanism responsible for any changes in the number of neurotransmitter molecules released—for example, some dysfunction in exocytosis, a change in the number of vesicles in the neuron, or a change in the number of neurotransmitter molecules in each vesicle.

Significant progress has been made recently in directly measuring the number of dopamine molecules stored in individual vesicles and the amount actually released when the vesicle undergoes exocytosis. Using miniaturized probes that can selectively detect dopamine molecules in very small amounts, scientists have determined that the vesicles of a certain type of mouse brain neuron contain an average of 30,000 dopamine molecules per vesicle (about [latex]5\times {10}^{-20}[/latex] mol or 50 zmol). Analysis of these neurons from mice subjected to various drug therapies shows significant changes in the average number of dopamine molecules contained in individual vesicles, increasing or decreasing by up to three-fold, depending on the specific drug used. These studies also indicate that not all of the dopamine in a given vesicle is released during exocytosis, suggesting that it may be possible to regulate the fraction released using pharmaceutical therapies.^[1]

Key Concepts and Summary

The formula mass of a substance is the sum of the average atomic masses of each atom represented in the chemical formula and is expressed in atomic mass units. The formula mass of a covalent compound is also called the molecular mass. A convenient amount unit for expressing very large numbers of atoms or molecules is the mole. Experimental measurements have determined the number of entities composing 1 mole of substance to be [latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex], a quantity called Avogadro’s number. The mass in grams of 1 mole of substance is its molar mass. Due to the use of the same reference substance in defining the atomic mass unit and the mole, the formula mass (amu) and molar mass (g/mol) for any substance are numerically equivalent (for example, one H₂O molecule weighs approximately18 amu and 1 mole of H₂O molecules weighs approximately 18 g).

Try It

What is the total mass (amu) of carbon in each of the following molecules?
1. CH₄
2. CHCl₃
3. C₁₂H₁₀O₆
4. CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃
What is the total mass of hydrogen in each of the molecules?
1. CH₄
2. CHCl₃
3. C₁₂H₁₀O₆
4. CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃
Calculate the molecular or formula mass of each of the following:
1. P₄
2. H₂O
3. Ca(NO₃)₂
4. CH₃CO₂H (acetic acid)
5. C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ (sucrose, cane sugar).
Determine the molecular mass of the following compounds:
Determine the molecular mass of the following compounds:
Which molecule has a molecular mass of 28.05 amu?
Write a sentence that describes how to determine the number of moles of a compound in a known mass of the compound if we know its molecular formula.
Compare 1 mole of H₂, 1 mole of O₂, and 1 mole of F₂.
1. Which has the largest number of molecules? Explain why.
2. Which has the greatest mass? Explain why.
Which contains the greatest mass of oxygen: 0.75 mol of ethanol (C₂H₅OH), 0.60 mol of formic acid (HCO₂H), or 1.0 mol of water (H₂O)? Explain why.
Which contains the greatest number of moles of oxygen atoms: 1 mol of ethanol (C₂H₅OH), 1 mol of formic acid (HCO₂H), or 1 mol of water (H₂O)? Explain why.
How are the molecular mass and the molar mass of a compound similar and how are they different?
Calculate the molar mass of each of the following compounds:
1. hydrogen fluoride, HF
2. ammonia, NH₃
3. nitric acid, HNO₃
4. silver sulfate, Ag₂SO₄
5. boric acid, B(OH)₃
Calculate the molar mass of each of the following:
1. S₈
2. C₅H₁₂
3. Sc₂(SO₄)₃
4. CH₃COCH₃ (acetone)
5. C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose)
Calculate the empirical or molecular formula mass and the molar mass of each of the following minerals:
1. limestone, CaCO₃
2. halite, NaCl
3. beryl, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
4. malachite, Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃
5. turquoise, CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈(H₂O)₄
Calculate the molar mass of each of the following:
1. the anesthetic halothane, C₂HBrClF₃
2. the herbicide paraquat, C₁₂H₁₄N₂Cl₂
3. caffeine, C₈H₁₀N₄O₂
4. urea, CO(NH₂)₂
5. a typical soap, C₁₇H₃₅CO₂Na
Determine the number of moles of compound and the number of moles of each type of atom in each of the following:
1. 25.0 g of propylene, C₃H₆
2. [latex]3.06\times {10}^{-3}\text{g}[/latex] of the amino acid glycine, C₂H₅NO₂
3. 25 lb of the herbicide Treflan, C₁₃H₁₆N₂O₄F (1 lb = 454 g)
4. 0.125 kg of the insecticide Paris Green, Cu₄(AsO₃)₂(CH₃CO₂)₂
5. 325 mg of aspirin, C₆H₄(CO₂H)(CO₂CH₃)
Determine the mass of each of the following:
1. 0.0146 mol KOH
2. 10.2 mol ethane, C₂H₆
3. [latex]1.6\times {10}^{-3}\text{ mol }{\text{Na}}_{2}{\text{SO}}_{4}[/latex]
4. [latex]6.854\times {10}^{3}\text{ mol glucose},{\text{C}}_{6}{\text{H}}_{12}{\text{O}}_{6}[/latex]
5. 2.86 mol Co(NH₃)₆Cl₃
Determine the number of moles of the compound and determine the number of moles of each type of atom in each of the following:
1. 2.12 g of potassium bromide, KBr
2. 0.1488 g of phosphoric acid, H₃PO₄
3. 23 kg of calcium carbonate, CaCO₃
4. 78.452 g of aluminum sulfate, Al₂(SO₄)₃
5. 0.1250 mg of caffeine, C₈H₁₀N₄O₂
Determine the mass of each of the following:
1. 2.345 mol LiCl
2. 0.0872 mol acetylene, C₂H₂
3. [latex]3.3\times {10}^{-2}\text{ mol }{\text{Na}}_{2}{\text{CO}}_{3}[/latex]
4. [latex]1.23\times {10}^{3}\text{ mol fructose, }{\text{C}}_{6}{\text{H}}_{12}{\text{O}}_{6}[/latex]
5. 0.5758 mol FeSO₄(H₂O)₇
The approximate minimum daily dietary requirement of the amino acid leucine, C₆H₁₃NO₂, is 1.1 g. What is this requirement in moles?
Determine the mass in grams of each of the following:
1. 0.600 mol of oxygen atoms
2. 0.600 mol of oxygen molecules, O₂
3. 0.600 mol of ozone molecules, O₃
A 55-kg woman has [latex]7.5\times {10}^{-3}\text{mol}[/latex] of hemoglobin (molar mass = 64,456 g/mol) in her blood. How many hemoglobin molecules is this? What is this quantity in grams?
Determine the number of atoms and the mass of zirconium, silicon, and oxygen found in 0.3384 mol of zircon, ZrSiO₄, a semiprecious stone.
Determine which of the following contains the greatest mass of hydrogen: 1 mol of CH₄, 0.6 mol of C₆H₆, or 0.4 mol of C₃H₈.
Determine which of the following contains the greatest mass of aluminum: 122 g of AlPO₄, 266 g of A1₂C1₆, or 225 g of A1₂S₃.
Diamond is one form of elemental carbon. An engagement ring contains a diamond weighing 1.25 carats (1 carat = 200 mg). How many atoms are present in the diamond?
The Cullinan diamond was the largest natural diamond ever found (January 25, 1905). It weighed 3104 carats (1 carat = 200 mg). How many carbon atoms were present in the stone
One 55-gram serving of a particular cereal supplies 270 mg of sodium, 11% of the recommended daily allowance. How many moles and atoms of sodium are in the recommended daily allowance?
A certain nut crunch cereal contains 11.0 grams of sugar (sucrose, C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁) per serving size of 60.0 grams. How many servings of this cereal must be eaten to consume 0.0278 moles of sugar?
A tube of toothpaste contains 0.76 g of sodium monofluorophosphate (Na₂PO₃F) in 100 mL
1. What mass of fluorine atoms in mg was present?
2. How many fluorine atoms were present?
Which of the following represents the least number of molecules?
1. 20.0 g of H₂O (18.02 g/mol)
2. 77.0 g of CH₄ (16.06 g/mol)
3. 68.0 g of CaH₂ (42.09 g/mol)
4. 100.0 g of N₂O (44.02 g/mol)
5. 84.0 g of HF (20.01 g/mol)

Show Selected Solutions

1. Each molecule has the following mass (amu) of carbon.

[latex]1\times 12.01\text{ amu}=12.01\text{ amu}[/latex]
[latex]1\times 12.01\text{ amu}=12.01\text{ amu}[/latex]
[latex]12\times 12.01\text{ amu}=144.12\text{ amu}[/latex]
[latex]5\times 12.01\text{ amu}=60.05\text{ amu}[/latex]

3. The molecular or formula masses are as follows:

[latex]4\times 30.974\text{ amu}=123.896\text{ amu}[/latex]
[latex]2\times 1.008\text{ amu}+15.999\text{ amu}=18.015\text{ amu}[/latex]
[latex]40\times 0.078\text{ amu}+2\times 14.007\text{ amu}+6\times 15.999\text{ amu}=164.086\text{ amu}[/latex]
[latex]2\times 12.011\text{ amu}+4\times 1.008\text{ amu}+2\times 15.999\text{ amu}=60.052\text{ amu}[/latex]
[latex]12\times 12.011\text{ amu}+22\times 1.008\text{ amu}\times 11\times 15.999\text{ amu}=342.297\text{ amu}[/latex]

5. The molecular mass of each compound is as follows:

C₄H₈[latex]\begin{array}{ll}4\text{C}\times 12.011\hfill & =48.044\text{amu}\hfill \\ 8\text{H}\times 1.0079\hfill & =\underline{8.06352\text{amu}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =56.107\text{amu}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
C₄H₆[latex]\begin{array}{ll}4\text{C}\times 12.011\hfill & =48.044\text{amu}\hfill \\ 6\text{H}\times 1.0079\hfill & =\underline{6.0474\text{amu}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =54.091\text{amu}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
H₂Si₂Cl₄[latex]\begin{array}{ll}\hfill 2\text{H}\times 1.0079& =2.01558\text{amu}\hfill \\ 2\text{Si}\times 28.0855\hfill & =56.1710\text{amu}\hfill \\ 4\text{Cl}\times 35.4527\hfill & =\underline{141.8108\text{amu}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =199.9976\text{amu}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
H₃PO₄[latex]\begin{array}{ll}\hfill 3\text{H}\times 1.0079& =3.0237\text{amu}\hfill \\ 1\text{P}\times 30.973762\hfill & =30.973762\text{amu}\hfill \\ \hfill 4\text{O}\times 15.9994& =\underline{63.9976\text{amu}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =97.9950\text{amu}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

7. Use the molecular formula to find the molar mass; to obtain the number of moles, divide the mass of compound by the molar mass of the compound expressed in grams.

9. Formic acid. Its formula has twice as many oxygen atoms as the other two compounds (one each). Therefore, 0.60 mol of formic acid would be equivalent to 1.20 mol of a compound containing a single oxygen atom.

11.The two masses have the same numerical value, but the units are different: The molecular mass is the mass of 1 molecule while the molar mass is the mass of [latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex] molecules.

13. The molecular mass of each compound is as follows:

S₈:
[latex]8\text{S}=8\times 32.066=256.528\text{g/mol}[/latex]
C₅H₁₂:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill 5\text{C}=5\times 12.011& =& 60.055\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{12H}=12\times 1.00794& =& \underline{12.09528\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 72.150\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
Sc₂(SO₄)₃:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill 2\text{Sc}=2\times 44.9559109& =& 89.9118218\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{3S}=3\times 32.066& =& 96.198\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill 12\text{O}=12\times 15.99943& =& \underline{191.99316\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 378.103\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
CH₃COCH₃:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill 3\text{C}=3\times 12.011& =& 36.033\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{1O}=1\times 15.9994& =& 15.9994\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill 6\text{H}=6\times 1.00794& =& \underline{6.04764\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 58.080\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
C₆H₁₂O₆:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{6C}=6\times 12.011& =& 72.066\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{12H}=12\times 1.00794& =& 12.09528\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill 6\text{O}=6\times 15.9994& =& \underline{95.9964\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 180.158\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

15. The molecular mass of each compound is as follows:

C₂HBrClF₃:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{2C}=2\times 12.011& =& 24.022\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{1H}=1\times 1.00794& =& 1.00794\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{1Br}=1\times 79.904& =& 79.904\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{1Cl}=1\times 35.453& =& 35.453\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill 3\text{F}=3\times 18.998403& =& \underline{56.995209\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 197.682\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
C₁₂H₁₄N₂Cl₂:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{12C}=12\times 12.011& =& 144.132\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{14H}=14\times 1.00794& =& 14.111\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{2N}=2\times 14.0067& =& 28.0134\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{2Cl}=2\times 35.453& =& \underline{70.906\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 257.163\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
C₈H₁₀N₄O₂:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{8C}=8\times 12.011& =& 96.088\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{10H}=10\times 1.007& =& 10.079\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{4N}=4\times 14.0067& =& 56.027\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{2O}=2\times 15.9994& =& \underline{31.999\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 194.193\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
CO(NH₂)₂:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{1C}=1\times 12.011& =& 12.011\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{1O}=1\times 15.9994& =& 15.9994\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{2N}=2\times 14.0067& =& 28.0134\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{4H}=4\times 1.00794& =& \underline{4.03176\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 60.056\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
C₁₇H₃₅CO₂Na:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{18C}=18\times 12.011& =& 216.198\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{35H}=35\times 1.00794& =& 35.2779\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{2O}=2\times 15.9994& =& 31.9988\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{1Na}=1\times 22.98977& =& \underline{22.98977\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\hfill \\ \hfill & =& 306.464\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

17. The mass of each compound is as follows:

KOH:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill 1\text{K}=1\times 39.0983& =& 39.0983\hfill \\ \hfill 1\text{O}=1\times 15.9994& =& 15.9994\hfill \\ \hfill \text{1H}=1\times 1.00794& =& \underline{1.00794}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{molar mass}& =& 56.1056\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
[latex]\text{Mass}=0.0146\text{mol}\times 56.1056\text{g/mol}=0.819\text{g}[/latex]
C₂H₆:[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill 2\text{C}=2\times 12.011& =& 24.022\hfill \\ \hfill 6\text{H}=6\times 1.00794& =& \underline{6.04764}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{molar mass}& =& 30.070\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
[latex]\text{Mass}=10.2\text{mol}\times 30.070\text{g/mol}=307\text{g}[/latex]
Na₂SO₄:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill 2\text{Na}=2\times 22.990& =& 45.98\hfill \\ \hfill 1\text{S}=1\times 32.066& =& 32.066\hfill \\ \hfill 4\text{O}=4\times 15.9994& =& \underline{63.9976}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{molar mass}& =& 142.044\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
[latex]\text{Mass}=1.6\times {10}^{-3}\text{mol}\times 142.044\text{g/mol}=\text{0.23 g}[/latex]
C₆H₁₂O₆:[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill 6\text{C}=6\times 12.011& =& 72.066\hfill \\ \hfill 12\text{H}=12\times 1.00794& =& 12.0953\hfill \\ \hfill 6\text{O}=6\times 15.9994& =& \underline{95.9964}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{molar mass}& =& 180.158\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
[latex]\text{Mass}=6.854\times {10}^{3}\text{mol}\times 180.158\text{g/mol}=1.235\times {10}^{6}\text{g (}1235\text{kg)}[/latex]
Co(NH₃)₆Cl₃:[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{Co}=1\times 58.99320& =& 58.99320\hfill \\ \hfill 6\text{N}=6\times 14.0067& =& 84.0402\hfill \\ \hfill 18\text{H}=18\times 1.00794& =& 18.1429\hfill \\ \hfill 3\text{Cl}=3\times 35.4527& =& \underline{106.358}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{molar mass}& =& 267.5344\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
[latex]\text{Mass}=2.856\text{mol}\times 267.5344\text{g/mol}=765\text{g}[/latex]

19.

2.345 mol LiCl:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{molar mass}\left(\text{LiCl}\right)=1\times 6.941+1\times 35.4527& =& 42.394\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{mass}=2.345\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 42.394\text{g}\cancel{{\text{mol}}^{-1}}& =& 99.41\text{g}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
0.0872 mol acetylene, C₂H₂:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{molar mass}\left({\text{C}}_{2}{\text{H}}_{2}\right)=2\times 12.011+2\times 1.00794& =& 26.038\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{mass}=0.0872\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 26.038\text{g}\cancel{{\text{mol}}^{-1}}& =& 2.27\text{g}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
3.3 × 10⁻² mol Na₂CO₃:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{molar mass}\left({\text{Na}}_{2}{\text{CO}}_{3}\right)=2\times 22.989768+1\times 12.011+3\times 15.9994& =& 105.989\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{mass}=3.3\times {10}^{-2}\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 105.989\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}& =& 3.5\text{g}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
1.23 × 10³ mol fructose, C₆H₁₂O₆:[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{molar mass}\left({\text{C}}_{6}{\text{H}}_{12}{\text{O}}_{6}\right)=6\times 12.011+12\times 1.00794+6\times 15.9994& =& 180.158\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{mass}=1.23\times {10}^{3}\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 180.158\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}=2.22\times {10}^{5}\text{g}& =& 222\text{kg}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
0.5758 mol FeSO₄(H₂O)₇:
[latex]\begin{array}{lll}\hfill \text{molar mass}\left[{\text{FeSO}}_{4}{\left({\text{H}}_{2}\text{O}\right)}_{7}\right]& =& 1\times 55.847+1\times 32.066+4\times 15.999\hfill \\ \hfill +7\left(2\times 1.00794+15.9994\right)& =& 278.018\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}\hfill \\ \hfill \text{mass}=0.5758\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 278.018\text{g}\cancel{{\text{mol}}^{-1}}& =\hfill & 160.1\text{g}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

21. The mass of each compound is as follows:

[latex]0.600\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 15.9994\text{g/}\cancel{\text{mol}}=9.60\text{g}[/latex]
[latex]0.600\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 2\times 15.994\text{g/}\cancel{\text{mol}}=19.2\text{g}[/latex]
[latex]0.600\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 3\times 15.994\text{g/}\cancel{\text{mol}}=28.8\text{g}[/latex]

23. Determine the number of moles of each component. From the moles, calculate the number of atoms and the mass of the elements involved. Zirconium: [latex]0.3384\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 6.022\times {10}^{23}{\cancel{\text{mol}}}^{\cancel{-1}}=2.038\times 1023\text{atoms;}0.3384\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 91.224\text{g/}\cancel{\text{mol}}=30.87\text{g;}[/latex] Silicon: [latex]0.3384\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 6.022\times {10}^{23}{\cancel{\text{mol}}}^{\cancel{-1}}=2.038\times {10}^{23}\text{atoms;}0.3384\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 28.0855\text{g/}\cancel{\text{mol}}=9.504\text{g;}[/latex] Oxygen: [latex]4\times 0.3384\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 6.022\times {10}^{23}{\cancel{\text{mol}}}^{\cancel{-1}}=8.151\times {10}^{23}\text{atoms;}4\times 0.3384\cancel{\text{mol}}\times 15.9994\text{g/}\cancel{\text{mol}}=21.66\text{g}[/latex]

25. Determine the molar mass and, from the grams present, the moles of each substance. The compound with the greatest number of moles of Al has the greatest mass of Al.

Molar mass AlPO₄: 26.981539 + 30.973762 + 4(15.9994) = 121.9529 g/mol
Molar mass Al₂Cl₆: 2(26.981539) + 6(35.4527) = 266.6793 g/mol
Molar mass Al₂S₃: 2(26.981539) + 3(32.066) = 150.161 g/mol

AlPO₄: [latex]\dfrac{122\cancel{\text{g}}}{121.9529\cancel{\text{g}}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}=1.000\text{mol.}[/latex]

[latex]\text{mol Al}=1\times 1.000\text{mol}=1.000\text{mol}[/latex]

Al₂Cl₆: [latex]\dfrac{266\text{g}}{266.6793\text{g}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}=0.997\text{mol}[/latex]

[latex]\text{mol Al}=2\times 0.997\text{mol}=1.994\text{mol}[/latex]

Al₂S₃: [latex]\dfrac{225\cancel{\text{g}}}{150.161\cancel{\text{g}}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}=1.50\text{mol}[/latex]

[latex]\text{mol Al}=2\times 1.50\text{mol}=3.00\text{mol}[/latex]

27. Determine the number of grams present in the diamond and from that the number of moles. Find the number of carbon atoms by multiplying Avogadro’s number by the number of moles:

[latex]\dfrac{3104\cancel{\text{carats}}\times \dfrac{200\cancel{\text{mg}}}{1\cancel{\text{carat}}}\times \dfrac{1\cancel{\text{g}}}{1000\cancel{\text{mg}}}}{12.011\cancel{\text{g}}\cancel{{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\left(6.022\times {10}^{23}\cancel{{\text{mol}}^{-1}}\right)}=3.113\times {10}^{25}\text{C atoms}[/latex]

29. Determine the molar mass of sugar. 12(12.011) + 22(1.00794) + 11(15.9994) = 342.300 g/mol; Then [latex]0.0278\text{mol}\times 342.300\text{g/mol}=9.52\text{g sugar.}[/latex] This 9.52 g of sugar represents [latex]\dfrac{11.0}{60.0}[/latex] of one serving or

[latex]\dfrac{60.0\text{g serving}}{11.0\cancel{\text{g sugar}}}\times 9.52\cancel{\text{g sugar}}=51.9\text{g cereal.}[/latex]

This amount is [latex]\dfrac{51.9\text{g cereal}}{60.0\text{g serving}}=0.865[/latex] servings, or about 1 serving.

31. Calculate the number of moles of each species, then remember that 1 mole of anything [latex]=6.022\times {10}^{23}[/latex] species.

20.0 g = 1.11 mol H₂O
77.0 g CH₄ = 4.79 mol CH₄
68.0 g CaH₂ = 1.62 mol CaH₂
100.0 g N₂O = 2.27 mol N₂O
84.0 g HF = 4.20 mol HF

Therefore, 20.0 g H₂O represents the least number of molecules since it has the least number of moles.

Glossary

Avogadro’s number (N_A): experimentally determined value of the number of entities comprising 1 mole of substance, equal to [latex]6.022\times {10}^{23}{\text{mol}}^{-1}[/latex]

formula mass: sum of the average masses for all atoms represented in a chemical formula; for covalent compounds, this is also the molecular mass

molar mass: mass in grams of 1 mole of a substance

mole: amount of substance containing the same number of atoms, molecules, ions, or other entities as the number of atoms in exactly 12 grams of ¹²C

Omiatek, Donna M., Amanda J. Bressler, Ann-Sofie Cans, Anne M. Andrews, Michael L. Heien, and Andrew G. Ewing. “The Real Catecholamine Content of Secretory Vesicles in the CNS Revealed by Electrochemical Cytometry.” Scientific Report 3 (2013): 1447, accessed January 14, 2015, doi:10.1038/srep01447. ↵

Module 3: Composition of Substances and Solutions

Learning Outcomes

Formula Mass

Formula Mass for Covalent Substances

Example 1: Computing Molecular Mass for a Covalent Compound

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Formula Mass for Ionic Compounds

Example 2: Computing Formula Mass for an Ionic Compound

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The Mole

Example 3: Deriving Moles from Grams for an Element

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Example 4: Deriving Grams from Moles for an Element

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Example 5: Deriving Number of Atoms from Mass for an Element

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Example 6: Deriving Moles from Grams for a Compound

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Example 7: Deriving Grams from Moles for a Compound

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Example 8: Deriving the Number of Atoms and Molecules from the Mass of a Compound

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Connection: Counting Neurotransmitter Molecules in the Brain

Key Concepts and Summary

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Glossary

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