Final answer:
To convert between the mass and moles of a substance, use the molar mass as a conversion factor. For mass to moles, divide the mass by the molar mass; for moles to mass, multiply the number of moles by the molar mass. In reactions, mole ratios from the balanced equation are also used for mass-to-mass conversions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To convert between the mass and the number of moles of a substance, one must use the molar mass of the substance, which can be found in the periodic table. Here is a step-by-step explanation:
- Determine the molar mass of the substance. The molar mass is numerically equal to the atomic or molecular mass in grams per mole.
- To convert mass to moles, divide the mass of the substance by its molar mass.
- To convert moles to mass, multiply the number of moles by the molar mass.
- In chemical reactions, use the mole ratio from the balanced chemical equation to convert moles of one substance to moles of another.
- Finally, convert the moles of the second substance to mass, if required, by multiplying by its molar mass.
It is important to remember that this process allows you to perform mass-to-mass conversions in stoichiometry problems, where you start with a known mass of one substance and use the equation's mole ratio to find the corresponding mass of another substance involved in the reaction.