To find the number of moles of Alanine, we first need to find its molar mass
Finding the Molar mass:
To our convenience, we are already given the chemical formula of Alanine
Chemical formula: C₃H₇NO₂
Now, we will use this formula to find the molar mass of Alanine
to do that, we will replace the chemical symbols of elements with their respective molar masses and add them together
We know the following molar masses:
C is 12 g/mol
H is 1 g/mol
N is 14 g/mol
O is 16 g/mol
Now, we will replace the chemical symbols with their molar mass and will be multiplied by their values in subscript
C₃H₇NO₂
Molar mass = (12)*3 + (1)*7 + (14)*1 + (16)*2
Molar mass = 36 + 7 + 14 + 32
Molar mass = 89 grams/mol
Number of moles of Alanine in a 159 gram sample:
Number of moles = Given mass / Molar mass
Number of moles = 159 / 89
Number of Moles = 1.78 moles