The equivalent mass of an oxygen atom is 8 g.
Understanding Equivalent Mass
Equivalent mass is a concept used in chemistry to define the mass of a substance that will combine with or displace a fixed amount of another substance. It is particularly helpful in stoichiometric calculations and understanding chemical reactions. The general formula for calculating equivalent mass is:
Equivalent Mass = (Atomic Mass or Molecular Mass) / Valency
Where,
- Atomic mass is the mass of an atom, generally expressed in atomic mass units (amu) or grams per mole (g/mol).
- Valency is the number of hydrogen atoms or equivalents of other atoms an element can combine with or displace.
Equivalent Mass of Oxygen
Reference Information
As noted in the reference, "the Oxygen atomic weight of oxygen is 16, whereas its valence is 2, so we can say that its equivalent mass is 16g/2 which is 8 g."
Calculation
Here is a detailed explanation:
- Atomic Weight of Oxygen: The atomic weight of oxygen is 16 amu, which translates to 16 g/mol. This means one mole of oxygen atoms weighs 16 grams.
- Valency of Oxygen: Oxygen typically has a valency of 2. This signifies that each oxygen atom can form two bonds with other atoms.
- Equivalent Mass Calculation:
- Equivalent Mass = Atomic Weight / Valency
- Equivalent Mass = 16 g/mol / 2
- Equivalent Mass = 8 g/equivalent
Practical Application
Understanding the equivalent mass helps when working with reactions involving oxygen. For example, in reactions such as oxidation, knowing the equivalent mass of oxygen enables accurate calculations for the quantity of reactants needed.
Key Points
- The equivalent mass of oxygen is 8 grams.
- It is calculated using the formula: Equivalent Mass = Atomic Mass / Valency.
- Valency refers to the combining capacity of an atom.
- This is a fundamental concept in understanding stoichiometry.
In conclusion, the equivalent mass of an oxygen atom is 8 g, a figure obtained by dividing its atomic mass (16 g) by its valency (2).
