How Many Atoms of Carbon Dioxide Are in a 0.50 Mole Sample?

In chemistry, the concept of the mole is crucial for understanding the composition of substances at the atomic level. A mole is a measurement that represents 6.0221409 x 1023 particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.). This number is known as Avogadro's number. In this article, we will explore the number of atoms in a 0.50 mole of carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules, breaking down the process step-by-step.

Understanding the Composition of CO2

Each molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2) consists of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. So, in 0.50 moles of CO2 molecules, we can determine the number of each type of atom.

Calculating the Number of Carbon Atoms

Since there is one carbon atom per CO2 molecule, we can use the following calculation to find the number of carbon atoms in a 0.50 mole sample:

Number of carbon atoms 0.50 moles x 6.022 x 1023 molecules/mole x 1 carbon atom/molecule

The result is:

3.011 x 1023 carbon atoms

Calculating the Number of Oxygen Atoms

For oxygen atoms, the calculation is slightly different because there are two oxygen atoms per CO2 molecule. Therefore, the calculation would be:

Number of oxygen atoms 0.50 moles x 6.022 x 1023 molecules/mole x 2 oxygen atoms/molecule

The result is:

6.022 x 1023 oxygen atoms

Mass of Carbon Dioxide

The mass of carbon dioxide can also be calculated if we know its molar mass. The average molar mass of CO2 is approximately 44.01 g/mol:

Mass of CO2 0.50 moles x 44.01 g/mol

The result is:

22.005 grams of CO2

Conclusion

Understanding the composition of carbon dioxide in moles is essential for various applications in chemistry, environmental science, and other related fields. By using the mole concept and Avogadro's number, we can precisely calculate the number of atoms and the mass of a substance.

If you have any further questions about the mole concept or any other chemistry topic, feel free to ask!