How to get the atomic weight of O 16g/mole to amu?

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The discussion focuses on converting the atomic weight of oxygen (O) from grams per mole (16 g/mole) to atomic mass units (amu). It establishes that 1 mole of oxygen atoms contains 6.022 x 10^23 atoms, leading to the conclusion that 1 oxygen atom has a mass of 16 amu. The conversation emphasizes the importance of precise unit representation, clarifying that 1 amu equals 1 gram divided by Avogadro's number. Participants stress the need for careful notation to avoid confusion in unit conversions.

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Homework Statement


How to get the atomic weight of O atom 16g/mole to amu?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


As I know, 1 mole of O atoms = 16g
6.023 x 10^23 O atoms = 16g
So, 1 O atom = 16 x 1/6.023 x 10^23
1 atom of O = 16 amu [1 amu = 1/ Avogadro's number]
But I am confused about the units here. How is it possible 16g to 16 amu?
 
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First, your use of "=" is a bit loose. For example, a mole of oxygen atoms does not "equal" 16 grams, a mole of oxygen atoms "weighs" 16 grams. The same for the other entries.
That technicality aside, your solution is correct, but if you write down your units a bit more carefully, the confusion should go away.
That is, your equation is
16 amu / oxygen atom = 16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms.
Let me be lazy and write N for Avogadro's Number
Then you can either multiply the left hand side times N/N, and since N*amu = gram, and N* atom = mole of atoms, then
16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms = 16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms.
Equivalently, multiply the right-hand side of
16 amu / oxygen atom = 16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms
times ((1/N)/(1/N)) to get
16 amu / oxygen atom =16 amu / oxygen atom
A third way, still equivalent to the other two, is to convert the mole to atoms, and divide.
Hopefully this clears things up. If not, ask some more, being more precise about your confusion.
 
Then you can either multiply the left hand side times N/N, and since N*amu = gram, and N* atom = mole of atoms, then
16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms = 16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms.
Equivalently, multiply the right-hand side of
16 amu / oxygen atom = 16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms
times ((1/N)/(1/N)) to get
16 amu / oxygen atom =16 amu / oxygen atom
A third way, still equivalent to the other two, is to convert the mole to atoms, and divide.
Hopefully this clears things up. If not, ask some more, being more precise about your confusion.
Still, I don't understand the steps above. Could you get it a little bit easier, please?
 
OK, in the absence of your responding to my request to indicate what the precise difficulty is, I will start from the assumption that you do not understand the "equation" 1 atom of O = 16 amu . Perhaps one of your main problems is that you have an error when you write
"1 amu = 1/ Avogadro's number"
This is incorrect! 1 amu = 1 gram/Avogadro's Number, approximately 1.6 x 10-24 grams.
With this in mind, I replay the last option.
Write your equation more carefully (replacing "=" by "has the mass")
The mass per 1 atom of O = 16 grams/mole = 16 amu = 16*(1.6 x 10-24 grams) = 2.56 x 10-23
Convert "mole" to Avogadro's Number, and make explicit that the units involved in the mole are oxygen atoms, and you have
16 grams/(6 x 10-23 oxygen atoms) = 2.56 x 10-23 grams/ Oxygen atom
which works out.
Does this help?
 
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nomadreid said:
OK, in the absence of your responding to my request to indicate what the precise difficulty is, I will start from the assumption that you do not understand the "equation" 1 atom of O = 16 amu . Perhaps one of your main problems is that you have an error when you write
"1 amu = 1/ Avogadro's number"
This is incorrect! 1 amu = 1 gram/Avogadro's Number, approximately 1.6 x 10-24 grams.
With this in mind, I replay the last option.
Write your equation more carefully (replacing "=" by "has the mass")
The mass per 1 atom of O = 16 grams/mole = 16 amu = 16*(1.6 x 10-24 grams) = 2.56 x 10-23
Convert "mole" to Avogadro's Number, and make explicit that the units involved in the mole are oxygen atoms, and you have
16 grams/(6 x 10-23 oxygen atoms) = 2.56 x 10-23 grams/ Oxygen atom
which works out.
Does this help?
Yes, Still I don't understand steps of how to get the mass of O atom 16g/mole to 16 amu?
 
Please let me know which of the steps I put in my last post you do not understand.
 
16 amu / oxygen atom = 16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms.
Let me be lazy and write N for Avogadro's Number
Then you can either multiply the left hand side times N/N, and since N*amu = gram, and N* atom = mole of atoms, then
16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms = 16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms.
Equivalently, multiply the right-hand side of
16 amu / oxygen atom = 16 grams / mole of oxygen atoms
times ((1/N)/(1/N)) to get
16 amu / oxygen atom =16 amu / oxygen atom
[/QUOTE]
I don't understand the steps above.
 
HCverma said:
I don't understand the steps above.
Which specific step? We can’t help you if you can’t tell us what is the problem.
 
Dale said:
Which specific step? We can’t help you if you can’t tell us what is the problem.
In the thread #2
 
  • #10
You were asked several times to explain which which part of the whole post containing multiple steps is a problem. Just by repeating "I don't understand" and not explaining which part stops you from following the line of reasoning won't get us far.
 
  • #11
I am sorry @HCverma. We cannot help you if you refuse to clarify.

This thread is closed, so that the homework helpers can focus their efforts on people willing to do the necessary work.
 
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