The molar mass of ethanoic acid, also known as acetic acid, is 60 atomic mass units (u).
Understanding Molar Mass
Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, and it is expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It's calculated by summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecule.
Calculating Molar Mass of Ethanoic Acid (CH3COOH)
Ethanoic acid has the molecular formula CH3COOH. This can be broken down into its constituent elements:
- 2 Carbon (C) atoms
- 4 Hydrogen (H) atoms
- 2 Oxygen (O) atoms
We can find the molar mass by adding the atomic masses of each element, multiplying by the number of atoms of each element present in the molecule.
Here's a breakdown of the calculation using the atomic masses of each element:
| Element | Atomic Mass (u) | Number of Atoms | Calculation | Result (u) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 12 | 2 | 12 * 2 | 24 |
| Hydrogen (H) | 1 | 4 | 1 * 4 | 4 |
| Oxygen (O) | 16 | 2 | 16 * 2 | 32 |
| Total | Sum of Results | 60 |
So, based on the reference provided which states: C + (H×3) + C + O + O + H = 12 + 3 + 12 + 16 + 16 + 1= 60 u, the molar mass of ethanoic acid is 60 u. Since 1 u is approximately equal to 1 g/mol, the molar mass of ethanoic acid is approximately 60 g/mol.
In summary:
- Molecular Formula: CH3COOH
- Calculation Breakdown: 2(12) + 4(1) + 2(16) = 60
- Molar Mass: 60 g/mol
