Find the molar mass of sodium chlorate(NaClO3).
The correct answer and explanation is:
The molar mass of sodium chlorate (NaClO₃) can be calculated by adding up the atomic masses of each element in the compound.
The formula for sodium chlorate is NaClO₃, and it consists of:
- 1 sodium (Na) atom
- 1 chlorine (Cl) atom
- 3 oxygen (O) atoms
Using the atomic masses of the elements:
- The atomic mass of sodium (Na) is approximately 22.99 g/mol.
- The atomic mass of chlorine (Cl) is approximately 35.45 g/mol.
- The atomic mass of oxygen (O) is approximately 16.00 g/mol.
Now, to calculate the molar mass:
- Sodium: 1 × 22.99 g/mol = 22.99 g/mol
- Chlorine: 1 × 35.45 g/mol = 35.45 g/mol
- Oxygen: 3 × 16.00 g/mol = 48.00 g/mol
Now, add these values together:
22.99 g/mol (Na) + 35.45 g/mol (Cl) + 48.00 g/mol (O) = 106.44 g/mol
Therefore, the molar mass of sodium chlorate (NaClO₃) is 106.44 g/mol.
This molar mass represents the mass of one mole of sodium chlorate molecules. The concept of molar mass is important in chemistry because it helps convert between the mass of a substance and the amount of substance (in moles). This allows chemists to determine how much of a substance is involved in a chemical reaction or how much is required for a particular reaction to occur. The process of calculating molar mass involves using the atomic masses from the periodic table, and it is an essential part of stoichiometry in chemical reactions.