The molar mass of urea can be calculated by summing the atomic weights of each atom in its chemical formula, (NH2)2CO.
Here's a detailed breakdown:
Understanding the Formula of Urea
Urea has the chemical formula (NH2)2CO. This means that each molecule of urea contains:
- 2 Nitrogen (N) atoms
- 4 Hydrogen (H) atoms
- 1 Carbon (C) atom
- 1 Oxygen (O) atom
Using Atomic Weights to Calculate Molar Mass
The atomic weights of the elements involved are:
| Element | Atomic Weight (g/mol) |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen (H) | 1 |
| Carbon (C) | 12 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 14 |
| Oxygen (O) | 16 |
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Hydrogen: There are 4 hydrogen atoms, so their total contribution is 4 * 1 = 4 g/mol
- Nitrogen: There are 2 nitrogen atoms, so their total contribution is 2 * 14 = 28 g/mol
- Carbon: There is 1 carbon atom, so its contribution is 1 * 12 = 12 g/mol
- Oxygen: There is 1 oxygen atom, so its contribution is 1 * 16 = 16 g/mol
Calculating the Total Molar Mass
Summing up the contributions of each element, we get:
Molar Mass of Urea = (4 1) + (2 14) + (1 12) + (1 16) = 4 + 28 + 12 + 16 = 60 g/mol.
Therefore, the molar mass of urea is 60 g/mol, as also indicated in the reference: 4 (H) + 2 (N) + (O) + (C) = 4 (1) + 2(14) + (16) + (12) = 4 + 28 + 16 + 12 = 60.
