Equal masses of #"S"_2#, #"S"_4# and #"S"_8# are taken. Highest number of sulphur atoms are present in?

  1. #"S"_2#

  2. #"S"_4#

  3. #"S"_8#

  4. All have equal number of atoms.

1 Answer
David Drayer
Nov 19, 2017

4

Explanation:

Sulfur has an atomic mass of 32 grams per mole. To find the number of sulfur atoms take the mass divide by 32 g/mole and multiply by avogardro's number # 6.02 xx 10^23# atoms /mole.

Since all of the sample have the same mass all will have the same number of atoms.

Each sample will have a different number of molecules, as the different forms of sulfur have different number of atoms in the molecule.

# S_2# will have the highest number of molecules because with only two atoms of sulfur per molecules it has the smallest molecular mass.

# S_8# will have the lowest number of molecules because with eight atoms of sulfur per molecules it has the highest molecular mass.

Keep in mind the difference between molecules and atoms.

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