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Multiple Choice
What is the first step you should take before calculating the molar mass of a compound?
A
Balance the chemical equation.
B
Determine the empirical formula of the compound.
C
Identify the state of matter of the compound.
D
Convert the mass of the compound to moles.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of molar mass: Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, usually expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all atoms in a molecule.
Identify the chemical formula of the compound: Before calculating the molar mass, you need to know the chemical formula of the compound, which tells you the types and numbers of atoms present.
Determine the empirical formula if necessary: The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound. If the chemical formula is not given, you may need to determine the empirical formula first.
Use the periodic table to find atomic masses: Look up the atomic masses of each element in the compound using the periodic table. These values are typically found under each element symbol.
Calculate the molar mass: Multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the compound, and then sum these values to find the total molar mass.