How Many Molecules Are in 3.21 Moles of Dicarbon Hexahydride (Ethane)?
Introduction to Molecular Counting
When discussing molecular compounds, it is essential to understand the concept of a mole. A mole is a fundamental unit of measurement in chemistry that represents 6.022 × 1023 entities, which could be atoms, molecules, or ions—much like a dozen is 12 items. In this article, we delve into the specific case of dicarbon hexahydride, or ethane (C2H6), and calculate the number of molecules present in 3.21 moles of this compound.Understanding the Chemical Formula
Ethane (C2H6) is a simple alkane consisting of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms. The smallest particle of ethane is a molecule, and it follows that one mole of ethane contains exactly 6.022 × 1023 molecules.Dimensional Analysis in Chemistry
Dimensional analysis is a powerful tool used in chemistry to convert between different units of measurement. Let's apply this methodology to determine the number of molecules in 3.21 moles of ethane.Step-by-step calculation:
1 mole of ethane 6.022 × 1023 molecules 3.21 mol C2H6 × (6.022×1023) molecules C2H6/1 mol C2H6 1.93×1024 molecules C2H6This calculation is carried out to three significant figures, resulting in approximately 1.93×1024 molecules of ethane in 3.21 moles.