Common Mistakes to Avoid When Calculating Molar Mass:
Using Wrong Atomic Weights:
Make sure to check the latest atomic weights from the periodic table. For example, Carbon (C) weighs about 12.01 g/mol.
Counting Atoms Incorrectly:
Always double-check the small numbers in the chemical formula. For example, in H₂O, there are two hydrogen (H) atoms.
Forgetting Units:
Always write molar mass in grams per mole (g/mol). Mixing up these units can cause big mistakes.
Not Adding Up Correctly:
Make sure to add up the weights of each element the right way. For water, it looks like this:
2 times 1.01 (for H) + 16.00 (for O) equals 18.02 g/mol.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Calculating Molar Mass:
Using Wrong Atomic Weights:
Make sure to check the latest atomic weights from the periodic table. For example, Carbon (C) weighs about 12.01 g/mol.
Counting Atoms Incorrectly:
Always double-check the small numbers in the chemical formula. For example, in H₂O, there are two hydrogen (H) atoms.
Forgetting Units:
Always write molar mass in grams per mole (g/mol). Mixing up these units can cause big mistakes.
Not Adding Up Correctly:
Make sure to add up the weights of each element the right way. For water, it looks like this:
2 times 1.01 (for H) + 16.00 (for O) equals 18.02 g/mol.