Calculate the mass of sodium acetate (CH3COONa) required to make 500 mL of 0.375 molar aqueous solution. Molar mass of sodium acetate is 82.0245 g mol–1.

To determine the mass of sodium acetate (CH3COONa) needed to create a 500 mL solution with a concentration of 0.375 molarity, we can follow a straightforward calculation process. Molarity (M) is defined as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution. Here’s how to break it down step by step.

Step 1: Understanding Molarity

Molarity is expressed as:

Molarity (M) = Moles of solute / Volume of solution in liters

In this case, we need to find the number of moles of sodium acetate required for a 0.375 M solution in 500 mL.

Step 2: Convert Volume to Liters

Since molarity is based on liters, we first convert 500 mL to liters:

500 mL = 0.500 L

Step 3: Calculate Moles of Sodium Acetate

Now, we can rearrange the molarity formula to find the moles of sodium acetate:

Moles of solute = Molarity × Volume in liters

Substituting the values we have:

Moles of CH3COONa = 0.375 M × 0.500 L = 0.1875 moles

Step 4: Calculate the Mass of Sodium Acetate

Next, we need to convert moles to grams using the molar mass of sodium acetate, which is given as 82.0245 g/mol:

Mass (g) = Moles × Molar Mass

Now, substituting the values:

Mass of CH3COONa = 0.1875 moles × 82.0245 g/mol

Calculating this gives:

Mass of CH3COONa = 15.3754 g

Final Result

To prepare a 500 mL solution of 0.375 M sodium acetate, you will need approximately 15.38 grams of sodium acetate. Always remember to measure accurately and ensure that the sodium acetate is fully dissolved in the solution for uniform concentration.