Calculating Moles of Chlorine (Cl?) in 50.0g of Cl?

Understanding the concepts of moles and molecular weight is crucial in the field of chemistry, particularly when dealing with gases. One of the key applications of these concepts is in calculating the amount of a substance in a given mass. In this article, we will explore how to determine the number of moles of chlorine (Cl?) in 50.0 grams of Cl?. This information is vital for various chemical calculations and experiments.

Understanding Moles and Molecular Weight

A mole is a unit used to measure the amount of a substance. It is defined as the amount of a substance that contains as many elementary entities (atoms, molecules, ions, electrons, etc.) as there are atoms in 12 grams of carbon-12. The molecular weight of a substance is the weight of one mole of that substance, representing the sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms in a molecule.

Molecular Weight of Cl?

Chlorine (Cl?) is a diatomic molecule, meaning it consists of two chlorine atoms bonded together. To calculate the molecular weight of Cl?, we add the atomic weight of two chlorine atoms:

Cl has an atomic weight of approximately 35.5 g/mol. Therefore,

1 mole Cl? 35.5 g/mol × 2 71 g/mol.

Calculating Moles of Cl?

Given that we have 50.0 grams of Cl?, we can calculate the number of moles using the following steps:

Determine the molecular weight of Cl?, which we calculated as 71 g/mol. Divide the given mass by the molecular weight to find the number of moles. The formula is:

Number of moles frac{text{mass}}{text{molecular weight}}

Substituting the values:

Number of moles frac{50.0 , text{g}}{71 , text{g/mol}} approx 0.704 , text{moles}

Conclusion

Thus, 50.0 grams of Cl? corresponds to approximately 0.704 moles. This calculation is fundamental for understanding the quantity of a substance and can be crucial in experiments involving chemical reactions and stoichiometry. By mastering the concepts of moles and molecular weight, chemists and students can perform precise calculations and better understand the behavior of gases and other substances in chemical processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the mole of Cl??

A1: The mole of Cl? is determined by its molecular weight, which is 71 g/mol. Therefore, 1 mole of Cl? weighs 71 grams.

Q2: How do you calculate moles of a gas?

A2: To calculate moles of a gas, divide the given mass by the molecular weight of the gas (in grams per mole). The formula is: moles frac{text{mass}}{text{molecular weight}}.

Q3: Is Cl? a diatomic molecule?

A3: Yes, chlorine (Cl?) is a diatomic molecule, meaning it consists of two chlorine atoms bonded together.

References

1. Boundless Chemistry - Molecular Weight

2. Chemguide - Ideal Gas Law