This article will guide you through calculating the number of moles of hydrogen gas (H₂) present in a 6.048g sample. Understanding molar mass and its application is crucial in chemistry, particularly in stoichiometry calculations.
Understanding Moles and Molar Mass
Before we begin the calculation, let's review some fundamental concepts:
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Mole (mol): A mole is the SI unit for the amount of substance. It represents Avogadro's number (approximately 6.022 x 10²³) of particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.).
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Molar Mass (g/mol): The molar mass of a substance is the mass of one mole of that substance. It's essentially the atomic mass (from the periodic table) expressed in grams per mole.
Calculating the Molar Mass of H₂
Hydrogen gas exists as a diatomic molecule (H₂), meaning each molecule contains two hydrogen atoms.
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Find the atomic mass of hydrogen (H) from the periodic table: approximately 1.008 g/mol.
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Since H₂ has two hydrogen atoms, its molar mass is 2 * 1.008 g/mol = 2.016 g/mol.
Calculating Moles of H₂
Now, we can calculate the number of moles of H₂ in 6.048g using the following formula:
Moles = mass (g) / molar mass (g/mol)
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Substitute the values: Moles = 6.048 g / 2.016 g/mol
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Calculate: Moles ≈ 3.000 mol
Therefore, there are approximately 3.000 moles of H₂ in 6.048g of hydrogen gas.
Further Applications
Understanding how to calculate moles is essential for various chemical calculations, including:
- Stoichiometry: Determining reactant and product quantities in chemical reactions.
- Solution Chemistry: Calculating concentrations of solutions.
- Gas Laws: Relating the volume, pressure, temperature, and amount of gas.
This simple calculation demonstrates a fundamental concept in chemistry with wide-ranging applications. Mastering this skill will significantly improve your understanding of chemical processes and problem-solving abilities. Remember to always double-check your units and use the appropriate significant figures for accuracy.