Textbook Question
What are the molecular (formula) weights of the following substances? (b) C4H8O2 (butyric acid, responsible for the odor of rancid butter)
Ch.3 - Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement170
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions160
- Ch.3 - Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions169
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution199
- Ch.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of Atoms102
- Ch.6 - Ionic Compounds: Periodic Trends and Bonding Theory92
- Ch.7 - Covalent Bonding and Electron-Dot Structures61
- Ch.8 - Covalent Compounds: Bonding Theories and Molecular Structure59
- Ch.9 - Thermochemistry: Chemical Energy122
- Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior155
- Ch.11 - Liquids & Phase Changes54
- Ch.12 - Solids and Solid-State Materials73
- Ch.13 - Solutions & Their Properties120
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics98
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium125
- Ch.16 - Aqueous Equilibria: Acids & Bases110
- Ch.17 - Applications of Aqueous Equilibria147
- Ch.18 - Thermodynamics: Entropy, Free Energy & Equilibrium86
- Ch.19 - Electrochemistry154
- Ch.20 - Nuclear Chemistry96
- Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry156
- Ch.22 - The Main Group Elements187
- Ch.23 - Organic and Biological Chemistry51
Chapter 3, Problem 44a
What are the molecular (formula) weights of the following substances? (a) Hg2Cl2 (calomel, used at one time as a bowel purgative)
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the elements in the compound Hg2Cl2: Mercury (Hg) and Chlorine (Cl).
Determine the number of each type of atom in the formula: Hg2Cl2 has 2 mercury atoms and 2 chlorine atoms.
Find the atomic weights of the elements from the periodic table: Mercury (Hg) has an atomic weight of approximately 200.59 g/mol, and Chlorine (Cl) has an atomic weight of approximately 35.45 g/mol.
Calculate the total weight of mercury in the compound: Multiply the atomic weight of mercury by the number of mercury atoms (2).
Calculate the total weight of chlorine in the compound: Multiply the atomic weight of chlorine by the number of chlorine atoms (2).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Molecular Weight
Molecular weight, or molar mass, is the mass of one mole of a substance, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It is calculated by summing the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecular formula. Understanding how to determine molecular weight is essential for stoichiometric calculations in chemistry, as it allows for the conversion between grams of a substance and moles.
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Weight Conversion Example
Periodic Table
The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, organized by increasing atomic number and grouped by similar properties. Each element's atomic weight is listed, which is crucial for calculating molecular weights. Familiarity with the periodic table enables students to quickly find the necessary atomic weights for elements in a compound.
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Chemical Formula
A chemical formula represents the composition of a substance, indicating the types and numbers of atoms present. For example, Hg2Cl2 indicates that the compound contains two mercury (Hg) atoms and two chlorine (Cl) atoms. Understanding how to interpret chemical formulas is vital for determining the molecular weight and for grasping the relationships between different substances in chemical reactions.
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Related Practice
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What are the molecular (formula) weights of the following substances? (c) CF2Cl2 (a chlorofluorocarbon that destroys the stratospheric ozone layer
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In the following drawings, red spheres represent cations, and blue spheres represent anions. Match the drawings (a)–(d) with the following ionic compounds: (i) Ca3(PO4)(ii) Li2CO32(iii) FeCl2 (a)(iv) MgSO4(a) (b) (c) (d)
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Textbook Question
Balance the following equations. (a) CO(NH2)2(aq) + HOCl(aq) --> NCl3(aq) + CO2(aq) + H2O(l)
Textbook Question
Balance the following equations. (c) NH4ClO4 + Al → Al2O3 + N2 + Cl2 + H2O