Calculate the mass (in grams) of one mole of magnesium bisulfite, Mg(HSO3)2, starting with elemental molar masses with four significant figures. Include proper units throughout.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The molar mass of one mole of magnesium bisulfite (Mg(HSO3)2) is 186.445 grams per mole (g/mol).
Explanation:
To calculate the molar mass of magnesium bisulfite (Mg(HSO3)2), we break down the chemical formula:
- Magnesium (Mg): There is 1 magnesium atom in the formula. The atomic mass of magnesium is 24.3050 g/mol.
- Hydrogen (H): There are 2 hydrogen atoms in the formula. The atomic mass of hydrogen is 1.0080 g/mol.
- Sulfur (S): There are 2 sulfur atoms in the formula. The atomic mass of sulfur is 32.0650 g/mol.
- Oxygen (O): There are 6 oxygen atoms in the formula (since each bisulfite ion (HSO3) contains 3 oxygen atoms, and there are 2 bisulfite ions). The atomic mass of oxygen is 15.9990 g/mol.
Now, to calculate the molar mass, we add up the contributions from each element:
[
\text{Molar Mass of Mg(HSO3)2} = (1 \times 24.3050) + (2 \times 1.0080) + (2 \times 32.0650) + (6 \times 15.9990)
]
[
\text{Molar Mass of Mg(HSO3)2} = 24.3050 + 2.0160 + 64.1300 + 95.9940 = 186.445 \, \text{g/mol}
]
Thus, the molar mass of magnesium bisulfite is 186.445 g/mol.

Here is the image showing the detailed calculation of the molar mass of magnesium bisulfite (Mg(HSO3)2), along with the atomic masses and final result of 186.445 g/mol.