Question

How do you find moles of each element in a compound?

Answer 1

To find the moles of each element in a compound, you need to know the chemical formula of the compound. The chemical formula provides the ratio of atoms of each element present in the compound. Here's a step-by-step process to determine the moles of each element:

1. Identify the chemical formula of the compound. For example, let's consider water (H2O).

2. Determine the molar mass of each element. The molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance. It is expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). You can find the molar mass of elements on the periodic table. For water:

   • Molar mass of hydrogen (H) = 1.008 g/mol
   • Molar mass of oxygen (O) = 16.00 g/mol

3. Determine the number of atoms of each element in the compound based on its chemical formula. In water (H2O), there are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

4. Calculate the moles of each element:

   • Moles of hydrogen = Number of hydrogen atoms × molar mass of hydrogen = 2 × 1.008 g/mol = 2.016 g/mol

   • Moles of oxygen = Number of oxygen atoms × molar mass of oxygen = 1 × 16.00 g/mol = 16.00 g/mol

So, in water (H2O), there are approximately 2.016 moles of hydrogen and 16.00 moles of oxygen.

By following these steps, you can determine the moles of each element in a compound based on its chemical formula.