To calculate the molar mass of zinc acetate, which is represented by the chemical formula Zn(C2H3O2)2, we need to follow these steps:
1. **Identify the atomic masses** – We will use the atomic masses from the periodic table:
- Zinc (Zn) – approximately 65.38 g/mol
- Carbon (C) – approximately 12.01 g/mol
- Hydrogen (H) – approximately 1.01 g/mol
- Oxygen (O) – approximately 16.00 g/mol
2. **Break down the formula** – In Zn(C2H3O2)2, we have:
- 1 Zinc atom: 1 x 65.38 g/mol = 65.38 g/mol
- 2 Acetate ions (C2H3O2):
- For one acetate ion (C2H3O2):
- 2 Carbon atoms: 2 x 12.01 g/mol = 24.02 g/mol
- 3 Hydrogen atoms: 3 x 1.01 g/mol = 3.03 g/mol
- 2 Oxygen atoms: 2 x 16.00 g/mol = 32.00 g/mol
- Total for one acetate: 24.02 + 3.03 + 32.00 = 59.05 g/mol
- Total for two acetate ions: 2 x 59.05 g/mol = 118.10 g/mol
3. **Add it all together** – Finally, add the mass contributions from zinc and the acetate ions:
65.38 g/mol (Zn) + 118.10 g/mol (2 C2H3O2) = 183.48 g/mol
Thus, the molar mass of Zn(C2H3O2)2 is approximately 183.48 g/mol.