Question #29a4c

1 Answer
BRIAN M. · Stefan V. · Becca M.
Sep 25, 2014

7.31 xx 10^(-23) "g"

Explanation:

In order to determine the mass of one molecule of "CO"_2, the process involves using mole and mass conversion factors to convert from molecules to grams by way of moles.

molecule -> mole -> grams

The conversion factors include:

6.02 xx 10^23 "molecules = 1 mole" " " (this is Avogadro's constant)

and

"1 mole = the molar mass of the molecule"

The molar mass of carbon dioxide, "CO"_2, can be determined by combining the mass of one carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.

  • C = 1 xx "12.01 g/mol" = "12.01 g/mol"
  • O = 2 xx "16.0 g/mol" = "32.0 g/mol"

So

"12.01 g/mol + 32.0 g/mol = 44.01 g/mol"

The conversion is completed as follows:

1 cancel("molecule CO"_2) xx (1 cancel("mole CO"_2)) / (6.02 xx 10^23 cancel("molecules")) xx "44.01 g"/(1 cancel("mole CO"_2))

= 7.31 xx 10^(-23) "g CO"_2

Molecules cancel with molecules and moles cancel with moles
the outcome is the mass in grams.

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