Mass is defined as measuring the amount of matter found in an object and is measured in units of grams or kilograms. Brubaker (2018) defines mole as the SI unit for the amount of substance. Molecular mass refers to the sum of all atoms’ atomic mass within a molecule and is measured using Daltons. The moles=grams/molecular weight formula calculates molecular mass computation.
The unknown compound determined from the simulation was magnesium chloride. The method used to determine the unknown compound is called Gravimetric analysis. According to Helmenstine (2020), the gravimetric method is used to measure the compound’s mass. For a gravimetric analysis to be complete, a cation must be found that forms an insoluble compound with chloride. Helmenstine (2020) explains the steps in the gravimetric analysis, which include:
- Putting the unknown compound in a weighing bottle with a lid sideways. Drying it and cooling.
- Dissolving the unknown compound. To the solution, adding acidified silver nitrate in excess until it forms a silver chloride precipitate.
- Heating the solution to increase the particle size for easier filtering and leaving it to cool.
- Filtering the solution and the precipitate. Drying the precipitate and weighing it.
- Using stoichiometry to determine the mass of the ion being analyzed.
Stoichiometry calculates reactants and products relating to chemical reactions. Narayanan and Lakshmikutty (2016) explain that the medical use of the stoichiometric calculation is to solve unknown quantities of reactants found in chemical reactions producing gas. According to Narayanan & Lakshmikutty (2016), the calculations are also used to determine mg/ml amounts and establish the amount of reaction needed by a reactant and ensure that the right amount of a certain chemical can be found in the medicine.
In summary, stoichiometric calculations and gravimetric analysis are used in the field of chemistry. The methods identify reactants in an equation and also the unknown compounds. Additionally, it gives a clear explanation of the mass of the compounds, moles, and molecular mass in any equation. It is also evident that moles and molecular mass are related. Stoichiometry enables the students to make up useful predictions.
References
Brubaker, J. (2018). How to calculate moles from the molecular weight. Sciencing. Web.
Helmenstine, A. M. (2020). What is gravimetric analysis in Chemistry? ThoughtCo. Web.
Narayanan, K. V., & Lakshmikutty, B. (2016). Stoichiometry and process calculations. PHI.