What is the molecular mass of C2H6O2?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the molecular mass of the compound with the chemical formula C2H6O2. To solve this, we will need to sum the atomic masses of each atom in the formula.
Answer
62.08 amu
Answer for screen readers
The molecular mass of C2H6O2 is 62.08 amu
Steps to Solve
- Identify the atomic masses of each element
First, find the atomic masses of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O):
- Carbon (C): 12.01 amu (atomic mass units)
- Hydrogen (H): 1.01 amu
- Oxygen (O): 16.00 amu
- Calculate the total mass for each element
Multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the molecule C2H6O2:
- Carbon: $2 imes 12.01 = 24.02$ amu
- Hydrogen: $6 imes 1.01 = 6.06$ amu
- Oxygen: $2 imes 16.00 = 32.00$ amu
- Sum the total masses
Add the total masses of each element to get the molecular mass of the compound: $$24.02 + 6.06 + 32.00 = 62.08 \text{ amu}$$
The molecular mass of C2H6O2 is 62.08 amu
More Information
A compound's molecular mass is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in its formula. In real-world applications, knowing the molecular mass is crucial for stoichiometry in chemical reactions, when determining molar mass, and in various analytical techniques.
Tips
One common mistake is neglecting to multiply the atomic mass by the number of atoms for each element. Always ensure you're accounting for the correct number of atoms in the formula.
