1. Determine the molar mass of the element:
- The molar mass of an element is the mass of one mole of that element. It is expressed in grams per mole (g/mol) and can be found on the periodic table.
2. Convert the given mass to grams:
- If the mass is not already given in grams, convert it to grams using appropriate unit conversions.
3. Divide the mass by the molar mass:
- Divide the mass of the element in grams by its molar mass in grams per mole. This calculation will give you the number of moles in the given mass.
4. Express the result in moles:
- The result of the division will be the number of moles of the element present in the given mass.
For example, let's determine the number of moles in 12 grams of carbon (C).
1. Molar mass of carbon (C) = 12.01 g/mol.
2. Mass of carbon given = 12 grams.
3. Number of moles = Mass / Molar mass.
= 12 grams / 12.01 g/mol.
= 0.9992 moles.
Therefore, 12 grams of carbon contain approximately 0.9992 moles of carbon (C).
