How many particle units are in 150 grams of salt? This question may seem simple at first glance, but it delves into the fascinating world of chemistry and the concept of particles. In order to answer this question, we need to understand the composition of salt and the relationship between its mass and the number of particles it contains.
Salt, chemically known as sodium chloride (NaCl), is composed of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms. These atoms combine in a 1:1 ratio to form the compound. To determine the number of particle units in 150 grams of salt, we must first calculate the number of moles of salt present in that mass.
The molar mass of sodium chloride is approximately 58.44 grams per mole. This means that in one mole of sodium chloride, there are 6.022 x 10^23 particles, known as Avogadro’s number. By dividing the mass of the salt (150 grams) by its molar mass, we can find the number of moles:
150 grams / 58.44 grams per mole = 2.575 moles
Now that we know there are 2.575 moles of sodium chloride in 150 grams, we can multiply this value by Avogadro’s number to find the total number of particle units:
2.575 moles x 6.022 x 10^23 particles per mole = 1.55 x 10^24 particles
Therefore, there are approximately 1.55 x 10^24 particle units in 150 grams of salt. This number highlights the immense quantity of particles that make up a seemingly small amount of the compound. Understanding the composition and properties of these particles can help us appreciate the importance of salt in various aspects of our lives, from cooking to preserving food and even in biological processes.
