Question

What is the molecular mass of Ethanoic acid?

Answer 1

Step1. Molecular Mass

• Molecular mass is the sum of atomic mass, measured in amu.
• The mass of one carbon atom is equal to the atomic mass unit (formerly abbreviated as 'amu,' but now spelled as 'u' – unified mass) according to the latest IUPAC recommendation.

Step2. The formula for molecular mass of Ethanoic acid

• The formula for Ethanoic acid is ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$
• The molecular mass of ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$=$\left(\left(\text{2×The atomic mass of C}\right)\text{+}\left(\text{4×}\mathrm{The}\mathrm{atomic}\mathrm{mass}\mathrm{of}\text{H}\right)\text{+}\left(\text{2×Atomic mass of O}\right)\right)$

Step3. Calculation of molecular mass of Ethanoic acid

The molecular mass of Ethanoic acid= $\left(\text{2×12.01+ 4×1.0079+2×16}\right)\text{u}$

=$60.0516\text{u}$

$\simeq 60\text{u}$

Hence, the molecular mass of Ethanoic acid is $60\text{u}$.