1. Identify the Elements and Their Atomic Masses:
* Sodium (Na): 22.99 g/mol
* Sulfur (S): 32.07 g/mol
* Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol
2. Determine the Number of Atoms of Each Element:
* Sodium (Na): 2 atoms
* Sulfur (S): 1 atom
* Oxygen (O): 3 atoms
3. Calculate the Total Mass:
* Sodium: 2 atoms * 22.99 g/mol/atom = 45.98 g/mol
* Sulfur: 1 atom * 32.07 g/mol/atom = 32.07 g/mol
* Oxygen: 3 atoms * 16.00 g/mol/atom = 48.00 g/mol
4. Add the Masses Together:
* 45.98 g/mol + 32.07 g/mol + 48.00 g/mol = 126.05 g/mol
Therefore, the formula mass of sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃) is 126.05 g/mol.
