How can you determine formula mass?

Answer 1

You sum the atomic masses of the elements making up the compound.

The formula mass is the sum of the atomic masses of the elements making up the compound. For example, sulphuric acid, #H_2SO_4#.

Atomic mass of hydrogen (H) - 1.00794 g/mol
Atomic mass of sulphur (S) - 32.065 g/mol
Atomic mass of oxygen (O) - 15.9994 g/mol

So, the formula mass is:

(2 x 1.00794) + 32.065 + (4 x 15.9994) = 98.079 g/mol

This video discusses two additional examples; silicon dioxide and magnesium hydroxide.

Hope this helps!

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Answer 2

Ellie Andrews

To determine the formula mass of a compound, you add up the atomic masses of all the atoms present in the compound, as indicated by its chemical formula.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.