Quantifying Oxygen Atoms in 10g of SO2: A Comprehensive Guide
Quantifying Oxygen Atoms in 10g of SO2: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the relationship between the mass of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and the number of oxygen atoms within it is fundamental in many scientific and industrial applications. This article will explore the calculation of oxygen atoms in 10 grams of SO2, using stoichiometry and Avogadro's number to provide a clear and detailed explanation.
The Molar Quantity of Sulfur Dioxide
The first step in solving this problem involves determining the molar quantity of SO2. To do this, we start by dividing the mass of SO2 by its molar mass. The molar mass of SO2 is approximately 64.06 g/mol.
Calculating the Molar Quantity
Given:
Mass of SO2 10 g
Molar mass of SO2 64.06 g/mol
Using the formula:
n_{SO_{2}} frac{10,g}{64.06,gmol^{-1}} 0.156,mol
Stoichiometric Analysis: Oxygen and Sulfur Atoms
According to the chemical formula of SO2, each molecule contains 2 oxygen atoms and 1 sulfur atom. Therefore, the molar ratio of oxygen atoms to SO2 is 2:1. This means that 0.156 moles of SO2 will contain:
Calculation of Oxygen Atoms
Oxygen atoms 2 × moles of SO2
Oxygen atoms 2 × 0.156 mol 0.312 mol
Quantifying the Number of Oxygen Atoms
Avogadro's number (6.02214076 × 1023 mol-1) represents the number of atoms or molecules in one mole of a substance. To find the number of oxygen atoms in 0.312 moles of SO2, we use the following equation:
Final Calculation
Number of oxygen atoms 0.312 mol × 6.02214076 × 1023 mol-1
Number of oxygen atoms 1.88 × 1023
Conclusion
In summary, 10 grams of SO2 contains approximately 1.88 × 1023 oxygen atoms. This calculation is crucial for various applications in environmental science, chemistry, and industrial processes. Understanding the stoichiometry and using Avogadro's number ensures accurate quantification.