Determine Weight Percent given molecular weight....

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem in Materials Science and Engineering concerning the calculation of weight percent (wt%) for an alloy of lithium (Li) and radium (Ra). Participants explore the implications of atomic counting in a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure and the relationship between molecular weight and mass in the context of alloy composition.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how to convert molecular weights to literal mass for the wt% calculation, suggesting that halving the molecular weights might be a starting point.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of the BCC structure and the explicit instruction to count atoms, indicating that this may affect the calculations.
  • A later reply introduces the concept of Avogadro's number and suggests calculating the number of moles in a BCC cell to derive the masses of Li and Ra for the wt% calculation.
  • One participant proposes taking 1 mole of each element as a basis for calculating the mass of Li and Ra, leading to the determination of mass fractions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the method for calculating the wt% of Li and Ra. There are multiple approaches suggested, and uncertainty remains regarding the correct application of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the dependence on the assumption of a complete solid solution despite the significant difference in atomic size, which may not hold true in practice. The discussion also highlights the need for clarity in transitioning from molecular weights to actual masses for the calculation.

hdp12
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Homework Statement


So for my homework assignment in 'Materials Science and Engineering', We were given the following problem.

1. Li and Ra both are both BCC metals. For this problem assume they form a complete solid solution (even though the very large difference in their atomic size tell us they will not form a complete solid solution). We want to make a solid solution in which half the atoms in the solid solution (by counting) are Li and the other half of the atoms (by counting) are Ra.

a. Calculate the wt% of Li and Ra needed to make this alloy. This corresponds to weighing out the Li and Ra to make the alloy.

Useful data:
Li: MW = 6.941 g/mole r = 0.53 g/cm3
Ra: MW = 226.0254 g/mole r = 5.00 g/cm3

Homework Equations


wt%=(m1 / m1 + m2)(100 wt%)

The Attempt at a Solution


I can't figure out how to do it because we were given molecular weight but we need literal mass. My first instinct was that you simply halve both molecular weights and plug those numbers into the formula.
Then I started analyzing the wording and think the fact that it's BCC is important as well as how it explicitly states (by counting)
Could someone just lead me in the right direction please? I appreciate it
 
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hdp12 said:

Homework Statement


So for my homework assignment in 'Materials Science and Engineering', We were given the following problem.

1. Li and Ra both are both BCC metals. For this problem assume they form a complete solid solution (even though the very large difference in their atomic size tell us they will not form a complete solid solution). We want to make a solid solution in which half the atoms in the solid solution (by counting) are Li and the other half of the atoms (by counting) are Ra.

a. Calculate the wt% of Li and Ra needed to make this alloy. This corresponds to weighing out the Li and Ra to make the alloy.

Useful data:
Li: MW = 6.941 g/mole r = 0.53 g/cm3
Ra: MW = 226.0254 g/mole r = 5.00 g/cm3

Homework Equations


wt%=(m1 / m1 + m2)(100 wt%)

The Attempt at a Solution


I can't figure out how to do it because we were given molecular weight but we need literal mass. My first instinct was that you simply halve both molecular weights and plug those numbers into the formula.
Then I started analyzing the wording and think the fact that it's BCC is important as well as how it explicitly states (by counting)
Could someone just lead me in the right direction please? I appreciate it
You are given the molar masses for Li and Ra. The molar mass for each element contains the same number of atoms. What is this famous number?

Suppose you wish to make a sample of Li-Ra alloy which contains N atoms total. You know that N/2 atoms are Li and N/2 atoms are Ra.
 
SteamKing said:
You are given the molar masses for Li and Ra. The molar mass for each element contains the same number of atoms. What is this famous number?

Suppose you wish to make a sample of Li-Ra alloy which contains N atoms total. You know that N/2 atoms are Li and N/2 atoms are Ra.

That was actually my other attempt before I decided to post. I divided the atoms in a BCC cell by Avogadro's number and got 3.321*10^-24 Mol
Then I was going to multiply that by each molecular weight, respectively, to get their masses
I just didn't want to follow that thread and be sure of it when I wasn't positive
 
Is that correct?
 
Take as a basis 1 mole each of Li and Ra. What is the mass of the Li? What is the mass of the Ra? What is the total mass? What is the mass fraction of Li?
 

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