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Calculating Mass from Moles in Chemistry

Apr 9, 2025

Lecture Notes on Calculating Mass from Moles

Introduction

  • Objective: To calculate the mass needed for a given number of moles of a compound.
  • Reference to previous lesson: Calculation of the number of moles from a given mass.

Key Formula

  • Mass Calculation Formula:

    [ \text{Mass in grams} = \text{Number of moles} \times \text{Relative formula mass} ]

Example 1: Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

  • Problem: Calculate the mass of 4 moles of sodium chloride.
  • Steps to Solve:
    • Calculate the relative formula mass of NaCl:
      • Na (Sodium) = 23
      • Cl (Chlorine) = 35.5
      • Total = 58.5
    • Use the formula:
      • Mass = 4 moles ( \times ) 58.5
      • Result = 234 grams

Practice Question 1: Potassium Oxide (K2O)

  • Problem: Calculate the mass of 3 moles of potassium oxide.
  • Given:
    • K (Potassium) = 39
    • O (Oxygen) = 16
  • Solution Steps:
    • Compute relative formula mass:
      • 2 Potassium atoms: 2 ( \times ) 39 = 78
      • 1 Oxygen atom: 1 ( \times ) 16 = 16
      • Total = 94
    • Calculate mass:
      • Mass = 3 moles ( \times ) 94
      • Result = 282 grams

Practice Question 2: Cesium Nitrate (CsNO3)

  • Problem: Calculate the mass of 0.1 moles of cesium nitrate.
  • Given:
    • Cs (Cesium) = 133
    • N (Nitrogen) = 14
    • O (Oxygen) = 16
  • Solution Steps:
    • Compute relative formula mass:
      • Cs = 133
      • N = 14
      • O = 3 ( \times ) 16 = 48
      • Total = 195
    • Calculate mass:
      • Mass = 0.1 moles ( \times ) 195
      • Result = 19.5 grams

Practice Question 3: Copper Sulfate (CuSO4)

  • Problem: Calculate the mass of 5 moles of copper sulfate.
  • Given:
    • Cu (Copper) = 63.5
    • S (Sulfur) = 32
    • O (Oxygen) = 16
  • Solution Steps:
    • Compute relative formula mass:
      • Cu = 63.5
      • S = 32
      • O = 4 ( \times ) 16 = 64
      • Total = 159.5
    • Calculate mass:
      • Mass = 5 moles ( \times ) 159.5
      • Result = 797.5 grams

Conclusion

  • Additional resources available in the vision workbook for more practice.
  • Goal: Understanding and ability to calculate the mass needed for any given number of moles of a compound.

Note: The relative formula masses and atomic masses are crucial for these calculations.