Formula of Ammonium Sulfate

Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 137 views

Introduction

In chemistry, the molar mass of a compound is a crucial property that helps us understand its composition and behavior. In this article, we will calculate the molar mass of ammonium sulfate, a compound composed of nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen atoms. To do this, we will use the atomic masses of these elements and the formula of ammonium sulfate.

Atomic Masses of Elements

Before we proceed with the calculation, let's recall the atomic masses of the elements involved:

Nitrogen (N) has an atomic mass of 14.01 g/mol
Hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of 1.01 g/mol
Sulfur (S) has an atomic mass of 32.07 g/mol
Oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of 16.00 g/mol

Formula of Ammonium Sulfate

The formula of ammonium sulfate is $\left( NH_4 \right)_2 SO_4$ . This means that one molecule of ammonium sulfate contains two ammonium ions and one sulfate ion. The ammonium ion is composed of one nitrogen atom and four hydrogen atoms, while the sulfate ion is composed of one sulfur atom and four oxygen atoms.

Calculating the Molar Mass of Ammonium Sulfate

To calculate the molar mass of ammonium sulfate, we need to sum the atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecule. Let's break it down step by step:

Ammonium ions: Each ammonium ion contains one nitrogen atom and four hydrogen atoms. The atomic mass of nitrogen is 14.01 g/mol, and the atomic mass of hydrogen is 1.01 g/mol. Since there are four hydrogen atoms, we multiply the atomic mass of hydrogen by 4:
- Nitrogen: 14.01 g/mol
- Hydrogen: 4 x 1.01 g/mol = 4.04 g/mol
- Total for ammonium ion: 14.01 + 4.04 = 18.05 g/mol
Sulfate ion: The sulfate ion contains one sulfur atom and four oxygen atoms. The atomic mass of sulfur is 32.07 g/mol, and the atomic mass of oxygen is 16.00 g/mol. Since there are four oxygen atoms, we multiply the atomic mass of oxygen by 4:
- Sulfur: 32.07 g/mol
- Oxygen: 4 x 16.00 g/mol = 64.00 g/mol
- Total for sulfate ion: 32.07 + 64.00 = 96.07 g/mol
Molar mass of ammonium sulfate: Since there are two ammonium ions and one sulfate ion in the molecule, we multiply the total mass of the ammonium ions by 2 and add the total mass of the sulfate ion:
- Total mass of ammonium ions: 2 x 18.05 g/mol = 36.10 g/mol
- Total mass of sulfate ion: 96.07 g/mol
- Molar mass of ammonium sulfate: 36.10 + 96.07 = 132.17 g/mol

Conclusion

In conclusion, the molar mass of ammonium sulfate is 132.17 g/mol. This value is obtained by summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecule, taking into account the number of atoms of each element present.

Answer

The correct answer is not among the options provided. However, we can see that the calculated molar mass of 132.17 g/mol is not among the options. This suggests that the options may be incorrect or that the question is asking for a different value.

Discussion

The molar mass of a compound is a fundamental property that helps us understand its composition and behavior. In this article, we calculated the molar mass of ammonium sulfate using the atomic masses of the elements involved. The calculated value of 132.17 g/mol is a crucial piece of information that can be used in various chemical calculations and applications.

References

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition
IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd Edition

Note

Q: What is the molar mass of ammonium sulfate?

A: The molar mass of ammonium sulfate is 132.17 g/mol, which is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecule.

Q: How do I calculate the molar mass of a compound?

A: To calculate the molar mass of a compound, you need to sum the atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecule. This involves multiplying the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element present in the molecule.

Q: What are the atomic masses of the elements involved in ammonium sulfate?

A: The atomic masses of the elements involved in ammonium sulfate are:

Nitrogen (N): 14.01 g/mol
Hydrogen (H): 1.01 g/mol
Sulfur (S): 32.07 g/mol
Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol

Q: How do I determine the number of atoms of each element present in the molecule?

A: To determine the number of atoms of each element present in the molecule, you need to examine the formula of the compound. In the case of ammonium sulfate, the formula is $\left( NH_4 \right)_2 SO_4$ , which indicates that there are two ammonium ions and one sulfate ion present in the molecule.

Q: What is the significance of the molar mass of a compound?

A: The molar mass of a compound is a fundamental property that helps us understand its composition and behavior. It is used in various chemical calculations and applications, such as calculating the number of moles of a substance, determining the concentration of a solution, and predicting the behavior of a compound in different chemical reactions.

Q: Can I use the molar mass of a compound to determine its density?

A: Yes, you can use the molar mass of a compound to determine its density. The density of a substance is equal to its molar mass divided by the volume of the substance. However, this requires additional information about the volume of the substance, which is not provided in this article.

Q: Are there any other ways to calculate the molar mass of a compound?

A: Yes, there are other ways to calculate the molar mass of a compound. One method is to use the atomic masses of the elements present in the compound and the formula of the compound to calculate the molar mass. Another method is to use the molecular weight of the compound, which is a measure of the mass of a molecule of the compound.

Q: What are some common applications of the molar mass of a compound?

A: The molar mass of a compound has many common applications in chemistry and other fields. Some examples include:

Calculating the number of moles of a substance
Determining the concentration of a solution
Predicting the behavior of a compound in different chemical reactions
Determining the density of a substance
Calculating the molecular weight of a compound

Q: Can I use the molar mass of a compound to determine its boiling point?

A: Yes, you can use the molar mass of a compound to determine its boiling point. The boiling point of a substance is related to its molar mass, and can be calculated using various formulas and equations. However, this requires additional information about the substance and its properties, which is not provided in this article.

Q: Are there any limitations to using the molar mass of a compound?

A: Yes, there are limitations to using the molar mass of a compound. One limitation is that the molar mass of a compound is only a measure of the mass of a molecule of the compound, and does not take into account the structure or properties of the molecule. Another limitation is that the molar mass of a compound can be affected by various factors, such as the presence of impurities or the method of preparation of the compound.