How Do You Calculate Molality and Mole Fraction in Aqueous Nitric Acid?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating molality, mass percentage, and mole fraction of nitric acid in an aqueous solution. Participants are exploring foundational concepts related to solutions, specifically focusing on the definitions and relationships between solute and solvent in the context of nitric acid.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the problem, noting a lack of understanding regarding the relationship between solute and solvent in the context of aqueous nitric acid.
  • Another participant clarifies that "aqueous" indicates that nitric acid is the solute and water is the solvent.
  • A participant attempts to write the dissociation reaction of nitric acid in water, indicating an effort to connect the chemical behavior of the solute with the calculations needed.
  • There is a request for a step-by-step walkthrough of the calculations, highlighting the participant's struggle with the foundational concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, as there is ongoing confusion and a request for further clarification on the calculations involved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a lack of clarity on how to apply initial values to calculate molality, mass percentage, and mole fraction, indicating potential gaps in foundational knowledge.

n77ler
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Ok so I just started this course and we have to so review from first year stuff but I am completely lost and have no idea how to do the questions. There are a bunch so could someone just run through one with me please?

Commercial aqueous nitric acid has a density of 1.42g/mL and is 16.0mol/L HNO_3(aq). Calculate the molality, mass % and mole fraction of the HNO_3 present.

I don't understand because I thought there needed to be a solute and a solvent but here it seems like its asking about just one thing.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Aqueous nitric acid means nitric acid (solute) dissolved in water (solvent). The term aqueous means that the solvent is water.
 
ok so HNO_3 + H_2O -----> NO_3- + H_3O+

Im sitll confused how the initial values are linked I'm getting extremely frustrated I'm falling behind because I cannot figure out the basics. PLease go through it with me!
 
answered
 

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