1. What is Molar Mass?

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all atoms in a molecule.

2. How to Calculate Molar Mass of CO2

The molar mass of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is calculated using the formula:

Where:

• Atomic Mass of Carbon (C) = 12.011 g/mol
• Atomic Mass of Oxygen (O) = 15.999 g/mol

Calculation: 12.011 + 2 × 15.999 = 44.009 g/mol

3. Step-by-Step Calculation

Step 1: Identify the chemical formula - CO₂
Step 2: Find atomic masses from periodic table
Step 3: Multiply oxygen mass by 2 (since there are 2 oxygen atoms)
Step 4: Sum all atomic masses
Step 5: Express result in g/mol

4. Importance of Molar Mass

Details: Molar mass is essential for stoichiometric calculations, converting between mass and moles, determining empirical and molecular formulas, and calculating solution concentrations.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are atomic masses not whole numbers?
A: Atomic masses are weighted averages of all naturally occurring isotopes of an element, accounting for their relative abundances.

Q2: What is the difference between molecular mass and molar mass?
A: Molecular mass is the mass of one molecule in atomic mass units (amu), while molar mass is the mass of one mole of molecules in grams per mole.

Q3: How accurate are standard atomic masses?
A: Standard atomic masses are based on IUPAC recommendations and are typically accurate to 4-5 significant figures for most calculations.

Q4: Can molar mass be used for elements?
A: Yes, for elements, molar mass is simply the atomic mass expressed in g/mol.

Q5: Why is CO2 molar mass important in environmental science?
A: It's crucial for calculating carbon emissions, understanding the carbon cycle, and environmental monitoring.