This is another question on my chemistry worksheet.
What is a gas's molecular mass?
I guess they want the definition because there are no numbers involved.
What gas? what temperature? what pressure?
it doesn't give any of those. it is a short answer question and the only thing it says is what is a gas's molecular mass?
The molar mass of a gas is the mass of 22.4 liters of the gas at STP.
The molecular mass, also known as the molecular weight, of a gas refers to the average mass of the molecules in a sample of that gas. It is a fundamental property that helps characterize and compare different gases.
To determine the molecular mass of a gas, you need to know the individual masses of its constituent atoms and their respective ratios in the molecule. The molecular mass is often expressed in atomic mass units (amu) or grams per mole (g/mol).
Here's how you can calculate it:
1. Identify the chemical formula of the gas. For example, if the gas is oxygen (O2), the formula would be O2.
2. Determine the atomic masses of the elements in the formula. You can find these atomic masses on the periodic table. Oxygen has an atomic mass of approximately 16.00 amu.
3. Multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the formula. In the case of oxygen (O2), there are two oxygen atoms, so you would multiply the atomic mass of oxygen by 2.
For example: 16.00 amu (atomic mass of oxygen) * 2 (number of oxygen atoms) = 32.00 amu
4. Sum up the individual masses of the atoms. In our example, the molecular mass of oxygen would be 32.00 amu.
Remember, this process applies to any gas, regardless of its formula. By determining the molecular mass of a gas, you can gain insights into its physical and chemical behavior, such as its density, boiling point, and reactivity.