The molecular formula of allicin, the compound responsible for the characteristic smell of garlic, is C₆H₁₀OS₂. (b) How many moles of allicin are present in 5.00 mg of this substance?

Key Concepts

Molecular Formula

A molecular formula indicates the number and type of atoms in a molecule. For allicin, C6H10OS2, it shows there are 6 carbon atoms, 10 hydrogen atoms, 1 oxygen atom, and 2 sulfur atoms. Understanding the molecular formula is essential for calculating the molar mass, which is necessary for converting mass to moles.

Molar Mass

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). To find the number of moles in a given mass, you first calculate the molar mass of allicin by summing the atomic masses of all atoms in its molecular formula. This value is crucial for converting the mass of allicin (5.00 mg) into moles.

Conversion from Mass to Moles

To convert mass to moles, the formula used is: moles = mass (g) / molar mass (g/mol). In this case, the mass of allicin must be converted from milligrams to grams (5.00 mg = 0.005 g) before applying the formula. This conversion is fundamental for determining how many moles of allicin are present in the specified mass.