The equivalent mass of carbon is not a single, fixed value; it depends on the compound it forms and its valency in that specific compound.
Understanding Equivalent Mass
Equivalent mass is the mass of a substance that will combine with or displace a fixed quantity of another substance. It is calculated as:
Equivalent weight = Atomic weight / Valency
- Atomic Weight: The atomic weight of carbon is 12.
- Valency: The valency refers to the number of bonds an atom can form. Carbon can exhibit different valencies, usually 2 or 4.
Equivalent Mass of Carbon in Different Compounds
Let's consider examples to understand this better:
Example 1: Carbon Monoxide (CO)
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In carbon monoxide (CO), carbon's valency is 2.
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According to the reference, the equivalent weight of carbon in CO is:
Equivalent weight in CO = 12 / 2 = 6
Example 2: Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
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In carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon's valency is 4.
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The equivalent weight of carbon in CO2 is:
Equivalent weight in CO2 = 12 / 4 = 3
Summary Table
| Compound | Valency of Carbon | Atomic Weight of Carbon | Equivalent Weight of Carbon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | 2 | 12 | 6 |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | 4 | 12 | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- The equivalent mass of carbon changes based on its bonding in a compound.
- The calculation utilizes the atomic weight and the valency of carbon in the specific molecule.
- Carbon can have valencies of 2 or 4 in common compounds.
Therefore, the equivalent mass of carbon is not a fixed number, it needs to be calculated based on the compound it is in. For CO it is 6 and for CO2 it is 3.
