What is the Molar Mass of Calcium Carbonate

Answer: Molar mass of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is 100.09 g/mol.

Molar Mass of Calcium Carbonate CaCO₃

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is a naturally occurring compound commonly found in rocks, chalk, limestone, and even in the shells of marine organisms. It is widely used in construction, medicine, and industrial applications, such as producing cement, lime, and as an antacid in pharmaceuticals.

In this guide, we will explain how to calculate the molar mass of calcium carbonate with detailed step-by-step calculations and discuss its significance in various fields.

Understanding Molar Mass

Molar mass refers to the mass of one mole of a substance, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). A mole is a fundamental unit in chemistry, representing \(6.022 \times 10^{23}\) particles, such as molecules, atoms, or ions. The molar mass is essential for performing stoichiometric calculations and converting between mass and moles in chemical reactions.

To calculate the molar mass of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), we need to account for the molar masses of calcium (Ca), carbon (C), and oxygen (O), which are the elements that make up calcium carbonate.

Molar Masses of Calcium, Carbon, and Oxygen

Here are the molar masses of the elements present in calcium carbonate:

• Calcium (Ca): The molar mass of calcium is approximately 40.08 g/mol.
• Carbon (C): The molar mass of carbon is approximately 12.01 g/mol.
• Oxygen (O): The molar mass of oxygen is approximately 16.00 g/mol.

Since calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) contains one calcium atom, one carbon atom, and three oxygen atoms, we will use these values to calculate its molar mass.

Formula for Calculating Molar Mass

The molar mass of a compound is calculated using the following formula:

\[ \text{Molar Mass of Compound} = \sum (\text{Number of Atoms} \times \text{Molar Mass of Element}) \]

For calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), the formula becomes:

\[ \text{Molar Mass of CaCO}_3 = (1 \times \text{Molar Mass of Ca}) + (1 \times \text{Molar Mass of C}) + (3 \times \text{Molar Mass of O}) \]

Step-by-Step Calculation

Let’s now calculate the molar mass of calcium carbonate step by step:

Step 1: Multiply the molar mass of calcium (Ca) by the number of calcium atoms in calcium carbonate:

\[ 1 \times 40.08 \, \text{g/mol} = 40.08 \, \text{g/mol} \]

Step 2: Multiply the molar mass of carbon (C) by the number of carbon atoms in calcium carbonate:

\[ 1 \times 12.01 \, \text{g/mol} = 12.01 \, \text{g/mol} \]

Step 3: Multiply the molar mass of oxygen (O) by the number of oxygen atoms in calcium carbonate:

\[ 3 \times 16.00 \, \text{g/mol} = 48.00 \, \text{g/mol} \]

Step 4: Add the values from steps 1, 2, and 3 to find the total molar mass of calcium carbonate:

\[ \text{Molar Mass of CaCO}_3 = 40.08 \, \text{g/mol} + 12.01 \, \text{g/mol} + 48.00 \, \text{g/mol} \]

\[ \text{Molar Mass of CaCO}_3 = 100.09 \, \text{g/mol} \]

Final Molar Mass of Calcium Carbonate

The molar mass of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is approximately 100.09 g/mol. Understanding this molar mass is essential for various applications, including its use in construction, environmental science, and medicine.

Conclusion

The molar mass of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is 100.09 g/mol, calculated by summing the molar masses of one calcium atom, one carbon atom, and three oxygen atoms.