The equivalent mass of chlorine is 35.5 g/eq.
Understanding Equivalent Mass
The equivalent mass of an element is the mass of that element that will combine with or displace a fixed quantity of another element, typically 1.008 grams of hydrogen or 8.0 grams of oxygen. It's a concept used in stoichiometry to understand chemical reactions based on combining proportions. The equivalent mass differs from the atomic mass; while atomic mass represents the mass of one atom, equivalent mass considers how many reacting units are involved.
How to Calculate Equivalent Mass
The equivalent mass can be determined by dividing the atomic weight by the valency of the elements. Valency refers to the number of hydrogen atoms the element can combine with, or double the number of oxygen atoms it can combine with. For example, chlorine typically has a valency of 1.
Here's the formula:
Equivalent Mass = Atomic Mass / Valency
Chlorine's Equivalent Mass
In the case of chlorine, the atomic mass is approximately 35.5 g/mol. Its common valency is 1. Thus, calculating the equivalent mass of chlorine:
Equivalent Mass (Chlorine) = 35.5 g/mol / 1 = 35.5 g/eq.
This means that 35.5 grams of chlorine is equivalent to 1 equivalent. This number is crucial in stoichiometry, specifically when analyzing reactions that involve chlorine.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Mass (Cl) | 35.5 g/mol |
| Valency (Cl) | 1 |
| Equivalent Mass (Cl) | 35.5 g/eq |
Therefore, the equivalent mass of chlorine is exactly 35.5 grams per equivalent, as stated in the reference. This concept is essential in balancing chemical equations and understanding the molar relationships in reactions involving chlorine.
