The maximum amount of sodium (Na, atomic weight. = 23)) that one should ingest daily is about 2300 milligrams of sodium, usually in the form of salt

The maximum amount of sodium (Na, atomic weight. = 23)) that one should ingest daily is about 2300 milligrams of sodium, usually in the form of salt. How many atoms of sodium is this?

The correct answer and explanation is:

To find how many atoms of sodium (Na) are in 2300 milligrams of sodium, follow these steps:

1. Convert the mass of sodium to moles:
   The molecular weight of sodium is 23 grams per mole. Since we are working with milligrams, we first convert the mass from milligrams to grams: 2300 mg=2.3 grams2300 \, \text{mg} = 2.3 \, \text{grams} Now, use the molar mass to convert grams to moles: Moles of sodium=2.3 grams23 grams per mole=0.1 moles of sodium\text{Moles of sodium} = \frac{2.3 \, \text{grams}}{23 \, \text{grams per mole}} = 0.1 \, \text{moles of sodium}
2. Convert moles of sodium to atoms:
   Avogadro’s number is 6.022×10236.022 \times 10^{23} atoms per mole. Multiply the moles of sodium by Avogadro’s number to find the number of atoms: Atoms of sodium=0.1 moles×6.022×1023 atoms per mole=6.022×1022 atoms\text{Atoms of sodium} = 0.1 \, \text{moles} \times 6.022 \times 10^{23} \, \text{atoms per mole} = 6.022 \times 10^{22} \, \text{atoms}

Thus, the number of sodium atoms in 2300 milligrams of sodium is approximately 6.022×10226.022 \times 10^{22} atoms.

Explanation:

Sodium, as an element, is typically ingested in the form of salt, which is made up of sodium chloride (NaCl). However, to find the amount of sodium specifically, we focus on the atomic weight of sodium, which is 23 grams per mole. The process of calculating the number of atoms involves using the molar mass of sodium and Avogadro’s number, which tells us how many individual atoms are present in one mole of any substance. By performing the necessary conversions and applying Avogadro’s number, we arrive at the result of approximately 6.022×10226.022 \times 10^{22} atoms of sodium in the recommended daily intake of 2300 milligrams of sodium. This process exemplifies how atomic and molecular weights are used in chemistry to calculate quantities of substances at the atomic scale.