Calculating Moles of Oxygen in a Cylinder

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The calculation of moles of oxygen in a cylinder involves understanding the difference between atomic oxygen and diatomic oxygen (O2). In this case, a 20-cm-diameter cylinder containing 50 g of oxygen gas at 20 degrees Celsius results in 1.5625 moles of O2, calculated using the molar mass of diatomic oxygen, which is 32 g/mol. The formula used is 50 g divided by 32 g/mol, confirming that the initial confusion stemmed from using the atomic mass of oxygen instead of the molecular mass of O2.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molar mass and its calculation
  • Knowledge of the ideal gas law and its variables (V, T, R)
  • Familiarity with the concept of diatomic molecules
  • Basic arithmetic for unit conversions and calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the ideal gas law and its applications in real-world scenarios
  • Learn about the differences between atomic and molecular masses
  • Explore the concept of moles and Avogadro's number in greater detail
  • Investigate gas laws and their implications in chemistry
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and anyone involved in gas calculations or studying molecular chemistry will benefit from this discussion.

Renzokuken
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] Converting Mol

1. A 20-cm-diameter cylinder that is 40 cm long contains 50 g of oxygen gas at 20 degrees celsius.

How many moles of oxygen are in the cylinder?




so 1 mol = 6.022*10^23
oxygen atomic mass=16g/mol
50g/16(g/mol) = 3.125 mol


I don't know why it is wrong, someone told me it is 50g/32(g/mol) but why is it 32 instead of 16?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you mean 50 grams of oxygen gas, or do you mean of oxygen by mass as if all were present counted as the atoms?

You then basically have V, T, you might need R (look for the value in a book);
Actually, the number of moles will not change. You said you have "50 grams", but you did not say as the atoms or as the diatomic gas. You only need to know 1 mole equals 6.02*10^23 units. You need to know if you were given just mass of oxygen atoms or mass of diatomic oxygen.
 
ok i get it, i didnt see the gas part. It was talking about O2 thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
9K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
6K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K