Final answer:
To calculate the moles of benzoic acid given the mass of benzoic acid and lauric acid, we first convert the mass of lauric acid to kilograms. The formula, which includes a proportionality constant 'm', requires this value to calculate the moles accurately. Since 'm' is missing, we cannot determine the moles of benzoic acid with the information provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the moles of benzoic acid in the solvent when given the mass of benzoic acid and the mass of lauric acid, we need to first convert the mass of lauric acid to kilograms. We're given that the mass of lauric acid is 3 grams, which is equivalent to 0.003 kilograms (since there are 1,000 grams per kilogram). Now, we can use the formula provided:
moles of benzoic acid = m × kg of lauric acid,
where m is the proportionality constant that relates moles of benzoic acid to the kilograms of lauric acid. Assuming 'm' is missing in the question and is required to solve this, it would typically be given as part of the experimental setup, often determined through calibration or a constant provided. Without the specific value of 'm', we are unable to calculate the moles of benzoic acid using the given mass values. Additionally, there seems to be confusion in how the question is stated, implying that the mass of benzoic acid is somehow directly used to calculate the moles of benzoic acid in presence of lauric acid, which commonly would not be the case unless 'm' is a ratio of moles of benzoic acid per kilogram of lauric acid.