Solution - Finding a molecular mass
Step-by-step explanation
1. Break down the molecule to its elements
The molecule NaHCO3 consists of:
1 Sodium atom
1 Hydrogen atom
1 Carbon atom
3 Oxygen atoms
| Element | Symbol | # of atoms |
| Sodium | Na | 1 |
| Hydrogen | H | 1 |
| Carbon | C | 1 |
| Oxygen | O | 3 |
2. Identify the atomic mass of each element
The atomic mass is shown below each element on the periodic table.
NaHCO3 molecules consist of:
Sodium Na=22.98976928 u
Hydrogen H=1.00794 u
Carbon C=12.0107 u
Oxygen O=15.9994 u
| Element | Symbol | Atomic mass | # of atoms |
| Sodium | Na | 22.98976928 | 1 |
| Hydrogen | H | 1.00794 | 1 |
| Carbon | C | 12.0107 | 1 |
| Oxygen | O | 15.9994 | 3 |
3. Calculate the total atomic mass of each element in a molecule of NaHCO3
Na → 1·22.98976928=22.98976928 u
H → 1·1.00794=1.00794 u
C → 1·12.0107=12.0107 u
O3 → 3·15.9994=47.9982 u
| Element | Symbol | Atomic mass | # of atoms | Total atomic mass |
| Sodium | Na | 22.98976928 | 1 | 22.98976928 |
| Hydrogen | H | 1.00794 | 1 | 1.00794 |
| Carbon | C | 12.0107 | 1 | 12.0107 |
| Oxygen | O | 15.9994 | 3 | 47.9982 |
4. Calculate the mass of the molecule NaHCO3
22.98976928+1.00794+12.0107+47.9982=84.00660927999999
The average molecular mass of NaHCO3 is 84.00660927999999 u.
5. Graph of molecular composition by atoms
6. Graph of molecular composition by mass
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Please leave us feedback.Why learn this
Every physical thing in the world is made up of matter. Whether it is the air we breathe, the food we eat, or the gas we use to heat our homes, almost everything that exists is made up of matter, and all matter is made up of molecules. Because of this, understanding the properties of molecules can help us better understand the concepts that explain the world around us, such as why different materials behave as they do. Molecular mass is also an important concept for anyone interested in pursuing a career in certain STEM fields.