Calculate the formula mass for each compound. a. NO₂ c. C₆H₁₂O₆ b. C₄H₁₀ d. Cr(NO₃)₃

Key Concepts

Molar Mass

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in a chemical formula. For example, in glucose (C6H12O6), the molar mass is determined by adding the masses of 6 carbon (C), 12 hydrogen (H), and 6 oxygen (O) atoms.

Atomic Mass

Atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an element's isotopes, measured in atomic mass units (amu). Each element has a specific atomic mass listed on the periodic table, which is used to calculate the molar mass of compounds. For instance, carbon has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 amu, hydrogen about 1.01 amu, and oxygen around 16.00 amu.

Chemical Formula

A chemical formula represents the composition of a compound, indicating the types and numbers of atoms present. In the case of glucose (C6H12O6), the formula shows that it contains 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms. Understanding the chemical formula is essential for calculating the formula mass, as it directly informs the quantities of each element involved.