How Many Molecules Are There in 450 Grams of Na2SO4?
Sodium sulfate, with the chemical formula Na2SO4, is a common compound used in industry and everyday life. It is an inorganic salt that consists of sodium cations (Na+) and sulfate anions (SO4^2-). If you have ever wondered how many molecules are present in a certain amount of sodium sulfate, this article will provide you with the answers you seek.
Before we dive into the calculations, it’s important to understand what a molecule is and how it relates to the atomic and molecular weights of a substance. A molecule is the smallest unit of a compound that retains its chemical properties. In the case of sodium sulfate, it consists of two sodium atoms (Na) and one sulfur atom (S) bonded to four oxygen atoms (O). These atoms are held together by chemical bonds.
To determine the number of molecules in a given amount of substance, we need to use the concept of the mole. A mole is a unit of measurement used in chemistry to express the amount of a substance. Specifically, one mole of any substance contains Avogadro’s number of particles, which is approximately 6.022 x 10^23 particles. These particles can be atoms, molecules, or ions, depending on the substance.
Now, let’s calculate the number of molecules in 450 grams of Na2SO4. To do this, we need to follow a step-by-step procedure:
Step 1: Determine the molar mass of Na2SO4
The molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance and is expressed in grams per mole. In this case, we have two sodium atoms, one sulfur atom, and four oxygen atoms in each molecule of Na2SO4. So, the molar mass can be calculated as follows:
2(Na) + 1(S) + 4(O) = 2(22.99 g/mol) + 32.07 g/mol + 4(16.00 g/mol)
= 45.98 g/mol + 32.07 g/mol + 64.00 g/mol
= 142.05 g/mol
Step 2: Convert grams to moles
To convert grams to moles, we divide the given mass (450 grams) by the molar mass (142.05 g/mol):
450 g / 142.05 g/mol = 3.168 moles
Step 3: Calculate the number of molecules
Now that we know the number of moles, we can use Avogadro’s number (6.022 x 10^23) to convert moles to molecules:
3.168 moles x 6.022 x 10^23 molecules/mole = 1.908 x 10^24 molecules
Therefore, in 450 grams of Na2SO4, there are approximately 1.908 x 10^24 molecules.
It’s worth noting that the number of molecules we calculated represents the total number of molecules in the given amount of sodium sulfate. This includes the sodium cations and sulfate anions present in the compound. If you specifically want to know the number of sodium atoms or sulfur atoms, you would need to consider the stoichiometry of the compound.
In conclusion, if you ever find yourself wondering how many molecules are present in a given mass of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), you can use the concepts of molar mass, moles, and Avogadro’s number to calculate this value. By following the step-by-step procedure outlined in this article, you can determine the number of molecules in any amount of Na2SO4.