Calculate the molecular mass of CO2.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to calculate the molecular mass of carbon dioxide (CO2), which involves adding up the atomic masses of its constituent elements: carbon and oxygen.
Answer
$44.01 \, \text{g/mol}$
Answer for screen readers
The molecular mass of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is $44.01 , \text{g/mol}$.
Steps to Solve
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Identify the atomic masses of the elements
The molecular mass of carbon dioxide (CO₂) consists of one carbon (C) atom and two oxygen (O) atoms.
The atomic mass of carbon (C) is approximately $12.01 , \text{g/mol}$, and the atomic mass of oxygen (O) is approximately $16.00 , \text{g/mol}$. -
Calculate the total mass of oxygen
Since there are two oxygen atoms in CO₂, we multiply the atomic mass of oxygen by 2.
$$ \text{Mass of oxygen} = 2 \times 16.00 , \text{g/mol} = 32.00 , \text{g/mol} $$ -
Add the masses together
Now, we sum the mass of carbon and the total mass of oxygen to find the molecular mass of CO₂.
$$ \text{Molecular mass of CO}_2 = 12.01 , \text{g/mol} + 32.00 , \text{g/mol} = 44.01 , \text{g/mol} $$
The molecular mass of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is $44.01 , \text{g/mol}$.
More Information
The molecular mass gives insight into the weight of one mole of molecules. Carbon dioxide is a significant greenhouse gas, and understanding its molecular mass is essential in fields like chemistry, environmental science, and biology.
Tips
- Forgetting to multiply the oxygen's mass: Some might forget that there are two oxygen atoms in the molecule, leading to an incorrect sum. Ensure to multiply correctly.
- Using incorrect atomic masses: Ensure the atomic masses used are accurate, as they can vary based on reliable sources.
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