Determine Weight Percent given molecular weight....

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the weight percent (wt%) of lithium (Li) and radium (Ra) needed to create a solid solution alloy, assuming equal atomic counts of both elements. Given the molecular weights of Li (6.941 g/mole) and Ra (226.0254 g/mole), participants emphasize the importance of using Avogadro's number to convert atomic counts to mass. The formula for wt% is provided: wt% = (m1 / (m1 + m2)) * 100. The correct approach involves determining the mass of each element based on the number of atoms and their respective molar masses.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molecular weight and its significance in chemistry.
  • Familiarity with Avogadro's number and its application in converting moles to atoms.
  • Knowledge of weight percent calculations in alloy compositions.
  • Basic principles of solid solutions and BCC (Body-Centered Cubic) crystal structures.
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about Avogadro's number and its role in stoichiometry.
  • Study weight percent calculations in more complex alloy systems.
  • Explore the properties and applications of BCC metals in materials science.
  • Investigate the phase diagrams of Li-Ra alloys and their solid solution behavior.
USEFUL FOR

Materials science students, metallurgists, and anyone involved in alloy design and analysis will benefit from this discussion, particularly those focusing on solid solutions and weight percent calculations in metallurgy.

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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