Question

Assuming that the density of vinegar is 1.005 g/mL, calculate the molarity of acetic acid in vinegar from your average value for the mass percentage of acetic acid in vinegar. Density of vinegar= 1.005 g/mL Average mass % acetic acid= 5.2%,

Answer 1

We can divide this problem into 4 steps:
Step 1: Calculate mass of one liter solution from the density
Mass of solution = 1000 ml soln x $\frac{1.005g soln}{1 mL}$ =1005 g soln
Step 2: Calculate the mass of acetic acid
Mass of CH₃COOH = 1005 g soln x (5.2 g / 100 g soln) = 52.26 g acetic acid
Step 3: Calculate the moles of acetic acid:
52.26 g acetic x (1 mole acetic / 60 g acetic) = 0.871 mol
step 4: Calculate the molarity of acetic acid:
molarity = moles of acetic / liters of soln = 0.871 / 1 L = 0.871 mole / L