1. Find the molar mass of CO₂
* Carbon (C) has a molar mass of 12.01 g/mol
* Oxygen (O) has a molar mass of 16.00 g/mol
* CO₂ has a molar mass of 12.01 + (16.00 x 2) = 44.01 g/mol
2. Calculate the number of moles of CO₂
* Divide the mass of CO₂ by its molar mass:
51.5 g CO₂ / 44.01 g/mol CO₂ = 1.170 mol CO₂
3. Use Avogadro's number to find the number of molecules
* Avogadro's number is 6.022 x 10²³ molecules/mol
* Multiply the number of moles by Avogadro's number:
1.170 mol CO₂ * 6.022 x 10²³ molecules/mol = 7.05 x 10²³ molecules of CO₂
Therefore, there are approximately 7.05 x 10²³ molecules of CO₂ present in 51.5 g of CO₂.