Chapter SH, Problem 22.3APP

To determine

To calculate: Mass of a molecule of acetylsalicylic acid in amu.

Answer to Problem 22.3APP

Mass of a molecule of acetylsalicylic acid is $\underset{\_}{180\text{ amu}}$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Formula of acetylsalicylic acid is ${\text{COOHC}}_6{\text{H}}_4{\text{COOCH}}_3$

Calculation:

Mass of hydrogen atom = $1.00\text{ amu}$

Mass of oxygen atom = $\text{15}\text{.99 amu}$

Mass of carbon atom = $12.01\text{ amu}$

The formula for acetylsalicylic acid is ${\text{COOHC}}_6{\text{H}}_4{\text{COOCH}}_3$ . Here, there is $\text{9}$ carbon atoms, $\text{4}$ oxygen atoms and $8$ hydrogen atoms. The mass of a molecule is calculated as:

  $\begin{array}{l}\text{ 9}\left(12.01\text{ amu}\right)+8\left(1.00\text{ amu}\right)+4\left(15.99\text{ amu}\right)\\ =180\text{amu}\end{array}$

Conclusion:

Mass of a molecule of acetylsalicylic acid is $\underset{\_}{180\text{ amu}}$ .