Answer: Molar mass of sodium chloride (NaCl) is 58.44 g/mol.
Molar Mass of Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt, is an ionic compound made up of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms. It plays a crucial role in both industrial processes and biological systems, especially in maintaining fluid balance in living organisms. The molar mass of sodium chloride is a key value used in chemical reactions, solution preparation, and various other applications.
In this guide, we will calculate the molar mass of sodium chloride and explain its significance in chemistry.
Understanding Molar Mass
Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a given substance, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). A mole is a unit used to measure the amount of a substance, and it represents \(6.022 \times 10^{23}\) particles, such as atoms, ions, or molecules. The molar mass allows chemists to calculate how much of a substance is needed for a reaction based on its mass.
To calculate the molar mass of sodium chloride (NaCl), we need to know the molar masses of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl).
Molar Masses of Sodium and Chlorine
To calculate the molar mass of sodium chloride, we first need the molar masses of sodium and chlorine:
- Sodium (Na): The molar mass of sodium is approximately 22.99 g/mol.
- Chlorine (Cl): The molar mass of chlorine is approximately 35.45 g/mol.
Sodium chloride (NaCl) contains one sodium atom and one chlorine atom, so we will use these values in our calculation.
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 sodium chloride (NaCl), the formula is:
\[ \text{Molar Mass of NaCl} = (1 \times \text{Molar Mass of Na}) + (1 \times \text{Molar Mass of Cl}) \]
Step-by-Step Calculation
Let’s now calculate the molar mass of sodium chloride step by step:
Step 1: Multiply the molar mass of sodium (Na) by the number of sodium atoms in sodium chloride:
\[ 1 \times 22.99 \, \text{g/mol} = 22.99 \, \text{g/mol} \]
Step 2: Multiply the molar mass of chlorine (Cl) by the number of chlorine atoms in sodium chloride:
\[ 1 \times 35.45 \, \text{g/mol} = 35.45 \, \text{g/mol} \]
Step 3: Add the values from steps 1 and 2 to find the total molar mass of sodium chloride:
\[ \text{Molar Mass of NaCl} = 22.99 \, \text{g/mol} + 35.45 \, \text{g/mol} \]
\[ \text{Molar Mass of NaCl} = 58.44 \, \text{g/mol} \]
Final Molar Mass of Sodium Chloride
The molar mass of sodium chloride (NaCl) is approximately 58.44 g/mol. This means that one mole of sodium chloride weighs 58.44 grams. This value is essential in chemistry for calculating how much sodium chloride is needed for solutions, reactions, or other applications in the laboratory and industry.
Conclusion
The molar mass of sodium chloride (NaCl) is approximately 58.44 g/mol, calculated by summing the molar masses of one sodium atom and one chlorine atom. This value is critical in various chemical calculations, including preparing solutions, conducting reactions, and analyzing sodium chloride’s role in biological and industrial processes.