The molecular formula of aspartame, the artificial sweetener marketed as NutraSweet®, is C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅. (c) How many molecules of aspartame are present in 1.00 mg of aspartame?

Key Concepts

Molecular Formula

A molecular formula represents the number and types of atoms in a molecule. For aspartame, C14H18N2O5 indicates it contains 14 carbon atoms, 18 hydrogen atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms, and 5 oxygen atoms. Understanding the molecular formula is essential for calculating the molar mass and determining the number of molecules in a given mass.

Molar Mass

The molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). To find the molar mass of aspartame, one must sum the atomic masses of all atoms in its molecular formula. This value is crucial for converting between mass and the number of molecules using Avogadro's number.

Avogadro's Number

Avogadro's number, approximately 6.022 x 10^23, is the number of particles (atoms, molecules, etc.) in one mole of a substance. This constant allows for the conversion between the mass of a substance and the number of molecules. In the context of aspartame, it helps determine how many molecules are present in a specified mass, such as 1.00 mg.