Calculate the molar mass of oxalic acid (C = 12, O = 16, H = 1)

To find the molar mass of oxalic acid, which has the chemical formula C₂H₂O₄, we need to sum the atomic masses of all the atoms present in one molecule of the compound. Let's break it down step by step.

Identifying the Components

Oxalic acid consists of:

• 2 Carbon (C) atoms
• 2 Hydrogen (H) atoms
• 4 Oxygen (O) atoms

Calculating the Molar Mass

Now, we can calculate the molar mass by multiplying the number of each type of atom by its respective atomic mass and then summing these values:

• For Carbon: 2 atoms × 12 g/mol = 24 g/mol
• For Hydrogen: 2 atoms × 1 g/mol = 2 g/mol
• For Oxygen: 4 atoms × 16 g/mol = 64 g/mol

Summing It All Up

Next, we add these values together to get the total molar mass of oxalic acid:

Total Molar Mass = 24 g/mol (C) + 2 g/mol (H) + 64 g/mol (O) = 90 g/mol

Final Result

Thus, the molar mass of oxalic acid (C₂H₂O₄) is 90 g/mol. This value is crucial in various applications, such as stoichiometry in chemical reactions, where knowing the molar mass helps in calculating the amounts of reactants and products involved.