What is the molecular mass of sodium oxide Na2O
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The molecular mass of sodium oxide (Na₂O) can be calculated by summing the atomic masses of its constituent elements: sodium (Na) and oxygen (O).
- Sodium (Na) has an atomic mass of approximately 22.99 g/mol.
- Oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16.00 g/mol.
Since Na₂O contains two sodium (Na) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom, the molecular mass is calculated as:Molecular mass of Na2O=(2×22.99)+(1×16.00)\text{Molecular mass of Na}_2\text{O} = (2 \times 22.99) + (1 \times 16.00)Molecular mass of Na2O=(2×22.99)+(1×16.00)Molecular mass of Na2O=45.98+16.00=61.98 g/mol\text{Molecular mass of Na}_2\text{O} = 45.98 + 16.00 = 61.98 \, \text{g/mol}Molecular mass of Na2O=45.98+16.00=61.98g/mol
So, the molecular mass of sodium oxide (Na₂O) is 61.98 g/mol.
Explanation:
Molecular mass (or molecular weight) is the sum of the atomic masses of the atoms that make up a molecule. In the case of Na₂O:
- Sodium (Na) contributes 22.99 g/mol per atom, and since there are two sodium atoms in the molecule, we multiply 22.99 by 2.
- Oxygen (O) contributes 16.00 g/mol per atom, and there is only one oxygen atom in Na₂O.
By adding these contributions together, we get the total molecular mass of Na₂O as 61.98 g/mol. This value is used when performing calculations involving the molar amount of sodium oxide in reactions, especially when it reacts with water or other compounds to form hydroxides or other substances.
