Describe how would you prepare 1 L of a 1 M solution of sodium chloride. The gram formula weight of sodium chloride is 58.44 g/mol.
1 Answer
A 1M solution that contains 1liter is prepared by weighing 58.44 grams of NaCl and placing this amount of salt in a 1 Liter volumetric flask and then filling the flask with distiller water to the graduation mark.
This question requires an understanding of solution concentration which is expressed as molarity (M).
Molarity = moles of solute/liters of solution.
Since you cannot measure moles directly on a balance, you must convert moles to grams by using the molar mass or gram formula mass which is listed for every element in the periodic table.
1 mole of NaCl = 58.44 grams ( the molar mass of Na which is 22.99 g/mol + the molar mass of chlorine which is 35.45 g/mol = 58.44 g/mol).
This amount is the placed in a 1 liter volumetric flask is precisely calibrated to hold a 1 liter solution at room temperature. Graduated cylinders do not have precise volumes as volumetric flasks beakers much less than graduated cylinders.
