Calculate the molecular mass of H2 SO4 (Hint – Atomic mass of H=1, S=32, O=16)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
To calculate the molecular mass of H₂SO₄ (Sulfuric Acid), follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify the atomic masses
- Hydrogen (H) = 1
- Sulfur (S) = 32
- Oxygen (O) = 16
Step 2: Count the number of each atom in the formula H₂SO₄
- Hydrogen = 2 atoms
- Sulfur = 1 atom
- Oxygen = 4 atoms
Step 3: Multiply atomic masses by the number of atoms
- Hydrogen: 2 × 1 = 2
- Sulfur: 1 × 32 = 32
- Oxygen: 4 × 16 = 64
Step 4: Add the total masses
- Total mass = 2 + 32 + 64 = 98 g/mol
Therefore, the molecular mass of H₂SO₄ is 98 grams per mole.
Explanation:
Molecular mass refers to the sum of the masses of all the atoms present in a molecule. It is measured in grams per mole and is essential for understanding chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and many calculations in chemistry.
Sulfuric acid has the chemical formula H₂SO₄. This means each molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms, one sulfur atom, and four oxygen atoms. To determine the molecular mass, we start by using the known atomic masses. Hydrogen has an atomic mass of 1, sulfur has an atomic mass of 32, and oxygen has an atomic mass of 16. These values are based on the standard atomic weights provided by scientific references.
First, we multiply the number of hydrogen atoms by its atomic mass, which gives 2 × 1 = 2. Next, the sulfur contribution is 1 × 32 = 32. Lastly, oxygen contributes 4 × 16 = 64. Adding these values gives the total molecular mass: 2 + 32 + 64 = 98 grams per mole.
This value is significant for calculating the amount of sulfuric acid needed in reactions, understanding molar concentrations, and converting between grams and moles. Molecular mass is particularly important in laboratory work, where precise measurements ensure the correct proportions of reactants are used.
In summary, the molecular mass of sulfuric acid is 98 grams per mole, calculated by summing the contributions of all atoms in the molecule.
