Calculate The Molecular Weight Of Ca(HCO3)2. Give Your Final Answer In Whole Number With Units G/Mol.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
162 g/mol
Explanation:
To calculate the molecular weight (molar mass) of calcium bicarbonate, Ca(HCO₃)₂, we add together the atomic masses of all the atoms in the compound. These atomic masses are taken from the periodic table.
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
1. Identify the elements and their atomic masses:
| Element | Symbol | Atomic Mass (g/mol) |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Ca | 40.08 |
| Hydrogen | H | 1.008 |
| Carbon | C | 12.01 |
| Oxygen | O | 16.00 |
2. Analyze the chemical formula:
Ca(HCO₃)₂ means:
- 1 calcium (Ca)
- 2 hydrogen (H)
- 2 carbon (C)
- 6 oxygen (O)
This is because there are two bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) ions, and each contains 1 H, 1 C, and 3 O. So we multiply the atoms in HCO₃ by 2:
- H: 1 × 2 = 2
- C: 1 × 2 = 2
- O: 3 × 2 = 6
3. Multiply and sum:
- Calcium (Ca): 1 × 40.08 = 40.08
- Hydrogen (H): 2 × 1.008 = 2.016
- Carbon (C): 2 × 12.01 = 24.02
- Oxygen (O): 6 × 16.00 = 96.00
Total Molecular Weight: 40.08+2.016+24.02+96.00=162.116 g/mol40.08 + 2.016 + 24.02 + 96.00 = 162.116 \, \text{g/mol}40.08+2.016+24.02+96.00=162.116g/mol
4. Round to the nearest whole number: 162 g/mol\boxed{162 \, \text{g/mol}}162g/mol
Conclusion:
The molecular weight of calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO₃)₂) is 162 g/mol. This value is essential in chemistry for converting between grams and moles of a substance in stoichiometric calculations, solution preparation, and chemical reaction analysis. Understanding molecular weight also helps determine the proportions of elements within a compound and is foundational in fields like pharmacology, environmental science, and materials engineering.
