How Many Molecules Does 88 Grams Co2 Contain

How Many Molecules Does 88 Grams of CO₂ Contain? A Step-by-Step Guide

This article will guide you through the calculation of the number of molecules in 88 grams of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Understanding this process is crucial for various chemistry and scientific applications. We'll break down the steps, explaining the concepts involved, and providing a clear, concise solution. This will also cover related concepts like molar mass and Avogadro's number.

Understanding the Fundamentals:

To solve this problem, we need to understand a few key concepts:

• Molar Mass: The molar mass of a substance is the mass of one mole of that substance. It's expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). For CO₂, we need to add the atomic masses of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. Carbon (C) has an atomic mass of approximately 12 g/mol, and oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16 g/mol. Therefore, the molar mass of CO₂ is 12 + (2 * 16) = 44 g/mol.

• Avogadro's Number: This fundamental constant in chemistry represents the number of atoms or molecules in one mole of a substance. It's approximately 6.022 x 10²³ particles/mol.

• Mole Calculation: A mole is a unit of measurement that represents a specific number of particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.). It provides a convenient way to relate mass to the number of particles.

Calculating the Number of Molecules:

Now, let's calculate the number of molecules in 88 grams of CO₂:

1. Find the number of moles: We can use the molar mass to convert grams to moles:

   Number of moles = (Mass of CO₂) / (Molar mass of CO₂) = 88 g / 44 g/mol = 2 moles

2. Calculate the number of molecules: Now, we use Avogadro's number to find the number of molecules:

   Number of molecules = (Number of moles) * (Avogadro's number) = 2 moles * 6.022 x 10²³ molecules/mol = 1.2044 x 10²⁴ molecules

Therefore, 88 grams of CO₂ contains approximately 1.2044 x 10²⁴ molecules.

In summary: This calculation demonstrates the relationship between mass, molar mass, moles, and the number of molecules. Understanding these concepts is essential for various stoichiometric calculations in chemistry. The process involves using the molar mass of CO₂ to determine the number of moles present in 88 grams and then using Avogadro's number to convert moles into the number of molecules. Remember to always use appropriate significant figures in your calculations for accuracy.