What is this element, carbon, hydrogen, oxyden or aluminum?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying an element based on its mass and the number of atoms it contains, specifically focusing on carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and aluminum. The original poster expresses uncertainty about how to approach the problem, indicating a lack of prior exposure to similar questions in class.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss calculating the number of moles from the given number of atoms and mass. There are questions about the appropriate equations to use and how to determine the molar weight of the elements in question.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in calculations and sharing insights about the relationships between moles, atomic weight, and the periodic table. Some guidance has been provided regarding the calculations, but there is still uncertainty about the correct identification of the element.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of confusion between atomic weight and atomic number, which may affect the identification of the element. The original poster is preparing for an exam and has not covered this topic extensively in class.

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8. [CJ6 14.P.001.] A mass of 135 g of an element is known to contain 30.1 1023 atoms. What is the element?
carbon
hydrogen
oxyden
aluminum

This is the question on my Physics practice test for my exam tomorrow. i don't know where to even begin with this one. we haven't really gone over anything like this in class...

Kevin
 
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Can u find the no. of moles
 
how?
 
1 mole contains 6.02 * 1023 entities here atom
 
ok so i am guessing that the equation that i need to use is n=N/NA

but how do we figure out N?
 
yup, N is given to u 30.1 1023
 
ok so we have 5 moles but now what? how do we figure out what element it is?
 
Do u now approx mol wt of above given elements

Find the Mol wt with the help of Mole equation

[tex]n=\frac{g}{M_0}[/tex] where M0 is Mol wt and g is the given wt
 
so i feel u got M0=135/5=27

Which belongs to ?(WHAT)
 
  • #10
so using the equation you gave me, i have n = 5 and g = 135, so i find Mo, which came out to be 27, and in the periodic table 27 is Co. what element is Co? but i think its wrong...
 
  • #11
now that i know the mol wt, i matched it with the periodic table and it comes out to Co, but which one of the choices are Co.
 
  • #12
U checked in for Atomic Number Rather than atomic wt

Atomic wt for Al is 27 (Aluminum)

Co is Cobalt
 
  • #13
hehe, that could help if i looked for the right thing. Thanks a lot, i really appreciate your help.

Kevin:smile:
 
  • #14
The whole point of a "mole" of an element is that it's weight in grams is equal to the weight of an individual atom in "atomic units". Once you know that you can identify the element.
 

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