The molecular mass of a compound is 63 u. If it contains one hydrogen atom and three oxygen atoms, the atomic mass of the remaining element is :
- AOption (a)
32 u
- BOption (b)
14 u
- COption (c)
16 u
- DOption (d)
12 u
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Correct answer
14 u
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is 14 u.
Key Points
- The molecular mass of a substance is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in a molecule of that substance. It is therefore the relative mass of a molecule expressed in atomic mass units (u).
- In the given problem, the total molecular mass of the compound is 63 u. The compound consists of one hydrogen atom, three oxygen atoms, and one unknown element.
- The atomic mass of Hydrogen (H) is 1 u. Since there is one hydrogen atom, its contribution to the total mass is 1 u.
- The atomic mass of Oxygen (O) is 16 u. Since the compound contains three oxygen atoms, their total contribution is calculated as 3 x 16 u = 48 u.
- To find the atomic mass of the remaining element, we subtract the masses of the known components from the total molecular mass: 63 u - (1 u + 48 u) = 63 u - 49 u = 14 u. Hence, the calculated mass is 14 u.
- The element that possesses an atomic mass of 14 u is Nitrogen (N). Therefore, the compound is Nitric Acid, which has the chemical formula HNO3. Hence, the correct option is 14 u.
Additional Information
- Nitric Acid (HNO3):
- It is a highly corrosive mineral acid, also known as aqua fortis or the spirit of niter.
- In its pure form, it is colorless, but older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to decomposition into oxides of nitrogen and water.
- It is widely used in the manufacture of fertilizers (like ammonium nitrate), explosives (like TNT and nitroglycerin), and in metal refining.
- Atomic Mass Unit (u):
- The atomic mass unit is defined as a mass exactly equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the mass of one carbon-12 atom.
- The unified atomic mass unit (u) has replaced the older amu designation in modern scientific literature.
- It allows chemists to calculate formula mass and molar mass, facilitating the study of stoichiometry in chemical reactions.
- Characteristics of constituent elements:
- Hydrogen: The lightest element in the periodic table with atomic number 1. It usually exists as a diatomic gas (H2).
- Oxygen: A highly reactive nonmetal and oxidizing agent. It is the third-most abundant element in the universe by mass.
- Nitrogen: A colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. It is essential for life as a component of amino acids and DNA.
Important Points
- Calculation Summary:
- Total Mass: 63
- Mass of H: 1
- Mass of 3 O: 48 (3 x 16)
- Equation: 1 + X + 48 = 63
- Result: X = 14
- Comparison with other options:
- 32 u is the atomic mass of Sulfur (S). If the element were sulfur, the molecular mass would have been 81 u (HSO3 - hypothetical radical).
- 16 u is the atomic mass of Oxygen (O).
- 12 u is the atomic mass of Carbon (C). For a compound like HCO3 (Bicarbonate), the mass would be 61 u.
- Date of Discovery: Nitric acid was first synthesized by the alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan around 800 AD. Its composition was accurately determined by Henry Cavendish in 1785.