Molar Mass of Sodium Oxalate

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 86 views

In chemistry, understanding the molar mass and atomic mass of elements is crucial for calculating the molar mass of compounds. The atomic mass of an element is the average mass of a single atom of that element, while the molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance. In this article, we will explore how to calculate the molar mass of sodium oxalate ( ${$ \text{Na}_2\text{C}_2\text{O}_4 $}$ ) using the atomic masses of its constituent elements.

Atomic Mass of Elements

The atomic mass of an element is a measure of the average mass of a single atom of that element. The atomic masses of carbon (C), sodium (Na), and oxygen (O) are 12.01, 22.99, and 16.00, respectively. These values are based on the average mass of naturally occurring isotopes of each element.

Molar Mass of Sodium Oxalate

Sodium oxalate ( ${$ \text{Na}_2\text{C}_2\text{O}_4 $}$) is a compound composed of sodium (Na), carbon (C), and oxygen (O) atoms. To calculate the molar mass of sodium oxalate, we need to multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound.

The formula for sodium oxalate is ${$ \text{Na}_2\text{C}_2\text{O}_4 $}$, which means there are 2 sodium atoms, 2 carbon atoms, and 4 oxygen atoms in one molecule of sodium oxalate.

Calculating Molar Mass

To calculate the molar mass of sodium oxalate, we need to multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound.

Sodium (Na): 2 atoms * 22.99 g/mol = 45.98 g/mol
Carbon (C): 2 atoms * 12.01 g/mol = 24.02 g/mol
Oxygen (O): 4 atoms * 16.00 g/mol = 64.00 g/mol

Total Molar Mass

The total molar mass of sodium oxalate is the sum of the molar masses of its constituent elements.

45.98 g/mol (sodium) + 24.02 g/mol (carbon) + 64.00 g/mol (oxygen) = 134.00 g/mol

Conclusion

In conclusion, the molar mass of sodium oxalate ( ${$ \text{Na}_2\text{C}_2\text{O}_4 $}$) is 134.00 g/mol. This value is calculated by multiplying the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound and summing the results.

Answer

The correct answer is A. 134.00 g.

Key Takeaways

The atomic mass of an element is the average mass of a single atom of that element.
The molar mass of a compound is the mass of one mole of that compound.
To calculate the molar mass of a compound, multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound and sum the results.

References

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Chemistry WebBook

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the atomic mass of carbon?
- The atomic mass of carbon is 12.01.
What is the atomic mass of sodium?
- The atomic mass of sodium is 22.99.
What is the atomic mass of oxygen?
- The atomic mass of oxygen is 16.00.
How do I calculate the molar mass of a compound?
- Multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound and sum the results.
  Frequently Asked Questions: Molar Mass and Atomic Mass =====================================================

In the previous article, we discussed the molar mass and atomic mass of elements and how to calculate the molar mass of a compound using the atomic masses of its constituent elements. Here are some frequently asked questions related to molar mass and atomic mass:

Q: What is the atomic mass of carbon?

A: The atomic mass of carbon is 12.01.

Q: What is the atomic mass of sodium?

A: The atomic mass of sodium is 22.99.

Q: What is the atomic mass of oxygen?

A: The atomic mass of oxygen is 16.00.

Q: How do I calculate the molar mass of a compound?

A: To calculate the molar mass of a compound, multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound and sum the results.

Q: What is the molar mass of sodium oxalate ( ${$ \text{Na}_2\text{C}_2\text{O}_4 $}$)?

A: The molar mass of sodium oxalate ( ${$ \text{Na}_2\text{C}_2\text{O}_4 $}$) is 134.00 g/mol.

Q: How do I determine the number of atoms of each element in a compound?

A: The number of atoms of each element in a compound can be determined from the chemical formula of the compound. For example, in the compound ${$ \text{Na}_2\text{C}_2\text{O}_4 $}$, there are 2 sodium atoms, 2 carbon atoms, and 4 oxygen atoms.

Q: What is the difference between atomic mass and molar mass?

A: The atomic mass of an element is the average mass of a single atom of that element, while the molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance.

Q: How do I convert between atomic mass and molar mass?

A: To convert between atomic mass and molar mass, you can use the following formula:

Molar mass = Atomic mass * Avogadro's number

Where Avogadro's number is 6.022 x 10^23.

Q: What is Avogadro's number?

A: Avogadro's number is 6.022 x 10^23, which is the number of particles (atoms or molecules) in one mole of a substance.

Q: How do I use Avogadro's number to convert between atomic mass and molar mass?

A: To use Avogadro's number to convert between atomic mass and molar mass, you can multiply the atomic mass of an element by Avogadro's number to get the molar mass of that element.

Q: What is the molar mass of carbon?

A: The molar mass of carbon is 12.01 g/mol.

Q: What is the molar mass of sodium?

A: The molar mass of sodium is 22.99 g/mol.

Q: What is the molar mass of oxygen?

A: The molar mass of oxygen is 16.00 g/mol.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the molar mass and atomic mass of elements is crucial for calculating the molar mass of compounds. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can calculate the molar mass of a compound using the atomic masses of its constituent elements.

Key Takeaways

The atomic mass of an element is the average mass of a single atom of that element.
The molar mass of a compound is the mass of one mole of that compound.
To calculate the molar mass of a compound, multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound and sum the results.
Avogadro's number is 6.022 x 10^23, which is the number of particles (atoms or molecules) in one mole of a substance.

References

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Chemistry WebBook

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the atomic mass of carbon?
- The atomic mass of carbon is 12.01.
What is the atomic mass of sodium?
- The atomic mass of sodium is 22.99.
What is the atomic mass of oxygen?
- The atomic mass of oxygen is 16.00.
How do I calculate the molar mass of a compound?
- Multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound and sum the results.