What is the molar mass of lactic acid, #C_3H_6O_3#?

Here's a tip before we get started:

To start, make sure you have your handy periodic table handy so you can figure out what the atomic weights of C, H, and O are.

The atomic weights of C, H, and O are 12.01 g/mol, 1.008 g/mol, and 16.00 g/mol, respectively.

Since we have three carbon atoms according to the chemical formula, you would multiply the atomic weight of C by three to get 36.03 g/mol.

The same procedure applies to hydrogen; since there are six atoms of hydrogen, you multiply its atomic weight by six to obtain 6.048 g/mol.

Finally, to get 48.00 g/mol for O, multiply 16.00 g/mol by 3.

To find the molecular weight of the entire compound, you now need to add the masses of all the individual atoms:

90.08 g/mol is equal to 48.00 g/mol + 6.048 g/mol + 36.03 g/mol.

The molar mass of lactic acid, C₃H₆O₃, is calculated by summing the atomic masses of its constituent atoms. The atomic masses are as follows:

Carbon (C): 12.01 g/mol Hydrogen (H): 1.01 g/mol Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol

Using these atomic masses and the molecular formula of lactic acid, C₃H₆O₃, the molar mass can be calculated as:

(3 × 12.01 g/mol) + (6 × 1.01 g/mol) + (3 × 16.00 g/mol) = 90.08 g/mol