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Calculate the empirical or molecular formula mass and the molar mass of each of the following minerals:

a) Calcite (CaCO₃)
b) Hematite (Fe₂O₃)
c) Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O)
d) Magnetite (Fe₃O₄)

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The empirical or molecular formula mass and the molar mass for the minerals calcite, hematite, gypsum, and magnetite can be found by summing the atomic masses of the elements in their formulas and are correspondingly 100.09 g/mol, 159.70 g/mol, 172.17 g/mol, and 231.55 g/mol.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the empirical or molecular formula mass and the molar mass of a mineral, you sum up the atomic masses of all atoms present in the mineral's chemical formula. Here are the calculations for the given minerals:

Calcite (CaCO₃): Formula mass = Atomic mass of Ca + Atomic mass of C + 3 × Atomic mass of O = 40.08 + 12.01 + 3 × 16.00 = 100.09 u. The molar mass is 100.09 g/mol.

Hematite (Fe₂O₃): Formula mass = 2 × Atomic mass of Fe + 3 × Atomic mass of O = 2 × 55.85 + 3 × 16.00 = 159.70 u. The molar mass is 159.70 g/mol.

Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O): Formula mass = Atomic mass of Ca + Atomic mass of S + 4 × Atomic mass of O + 2 × (2 × Atomic mass of H + Atomic mass of O) = 40.08 + 32.07 + 4 × 16.00 + 2 × (2 × 1.01 + 16.00) = 172.17 u. The molar mass is 172.17 g/mol.

Magnetite (Fe₃O₄): Formula mass = 3 × Atomic mass of Fe + 4 × Atomic mass of O = 3 × 55.85 + 4 × 16.00 = 231.55 u. The molar mass is 231.55 g/mol.

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