What is the molar mass of carbon dioxide CO2
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: 44.01 g/mol
Explanation (Approx. 300 Words):
The molar mass of a compound is the mass of one mole of that substance, measured in grams per mole (g/mol). To find the molar mass of carbon dioxide (CO₂), we sum the molar masses of its individual atoms:
Carbon dioxide is made up of:
- 1 atom of Carbon (C)
- 2 atoms of Oxygen (O)
We use the atomic masses from the periodic table:
- Atomic mass of Carbon (C) = 12.01 g/mol
- Atomic mass of Oxygen (O) = 16.00 g/mol
Now calculate the total molar mass: Molar mass of CO₂=(1×12.01)+(2×16.00)\text{Molar mass of CO₂} = (1 \times 12.01) + (2 \times 16.00) =12.01+32.00=44.01 g/mol= 12.01 + 32.00 = 44.01 \text{ g/mol}
So, the molar mass of carbon dioxide is 44.01 grams per mole.
Why Is This Important?
Knowing the molar mass of CO₂ is crucial in chemistry for:
- Stoichiometry: Allows us to convert between grams and moles in chemical equations.
- Gas Laws: Helps in calculating pressure, volume, and temperature relationships involving CO₂.
- Environmental Science: Important for calculating carbon footprints and understanding greenhouse gas emissions.
- Medical Use: CO₂ is used in some medical procedures; dosage depends on molar mass.
Example in Practice:
If you have 88.02 grams of CO₂, how many moles is that? Moles=MassMolar mass=88.0244.01=2.00 moles\text{Moles} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Molar mass}} = \frac{88.02}{44.01} = 2.00 \text{ moles}
This conversion is essential in lab work, manufacturing, and environmental monitoring.
Conclusion: The molar mass of carbon dioxide is 44.01 g/mol, derived from the sum of the atomic masses of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.