Chemistry Moles of solute particles are present in 5.07 mL of 0.688 M

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To find the moles of solute particles in 5.07 mL of 0.688 M Na3PO4, the calculation must consider osmolarity, which accounts for all dissociated ions. The initial calculation yielded 3.49E-3 moles of solute, but this only reflects the molarity of the compound, not the total particle concentration. Since Na3PO4 dissociates into four particles (three Na+ ions and one PO4^3- ion), the correct approach involves multiplying the molarity by four, resulting in 1.40E-2 moles of solute particles. However, adjustments for the behavior of the ions in solution suggest a more accurate total concentration of approximately 2.804 M, leading to a revised mole count of about 14.2E-3. Understanding the distinction between moles of solute and moles of solute particles is crucial for accurate calculations.
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Homework Statement



How many moles of solute particles are present in 5.07 mL of 0.688 M Na3PO4? Use scientific notation with 3 significant figures!

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


0.00507 L of soln
0.688 M
M= mol solute / L of soln
0.688 = x / 0.00507
.688 * 0.00507
x = 3.49E-3

What went wrong
 
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Moles of solute particles should be osmolarity: the molarity of aall particles which would be the molarities of the two ions.
 


Bohrok said:
Moles of solute particles should be osmolarity: the molarity of aall particles which would be the molarities of the two ions.

So it is
3.49E-3 * 4 = 1.40E-2 ?
Thank you for your help.
 


Do you have the answer to the problem?
 


Bohrok said:
Do you have the answer to the problem?

No, it was simply marked incorrect so I am unsure of the actual answer.

I just looked up osmolarity after you mentioned it. My book unfortunately neglected it :(. This is the first encounter with it so I was not sure if the method of obtaining it was correct. "the osmolarity of a simple solution is equal to the molarity times the number of particles per molecule"

I had the molarity = 3.49E-3
(Na3 = 3 PO4 = 1) = 4
3.49E-3 * 4

If it said "How many moles of solute are present" would it have been just finding the molarity?
 


Yes, "moles of solute" would be molarity, but moles of solute particles would mean osmolarity.
 


You may treat it as a nitpicking (and I won't comment) but this is not the correct result :wink:

I mean - on some level it works, but phosphate is a strong base, it reacts with water and Na+ to some extent reacts with OH-. Thus the real result is slightly different - total concentration of dissolved entities (be it ions or neutral molecules) is about 2.804M, and number of moles is 14.2*10-3 (not 14.0*10-3).

Even that is only an approximation, but better than the initial one :smile:

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