Question

How many molecules of ascorbic acid (vitamin c, c6h8o6) are in a 500 mg tablet?

Answer 1

1.71 x 10²¹ molecules of ascorbic acid.

Further explanation

The Problem:

How many molecules of ascorbic acid (vitamin C or C₆H₈O₆) are in a 500 mg tablet?

The Process:  

Step-1

We prepare the molar mass of ascorbic acid or C₆H₈O₆.  

Relative atomic mass (in rounding to integers):  

• C = 12 g/mol
• H = 1 g/mol  
• O = 16 g/mol  

In ascorbic acid, there are six carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms. Therefore the molar mass is given by  

$\boxed{(12 \times 6) + (1 \times 8) + (16 \times 6) = 176 \ g/moles}$  

Step-2

We calculate the moles of 500 mg ascorbic acid. Let us convert it to 0.5 g.

$\boxed{ \ moles = \frac{mass}{molar \ mass} \ } \rightarrow \boxed{ \ moles = \frac{0.5 \ g}{176 \ g/mol} \ }$

Therefore we get 2.84 x 10⁻³ moles.

Step-3

Remember this, one mole contains 6.02 x 10²³ molecules, which is called The Avogadro's number.  

Let us convert 2.84 x 10⁻³ moles to the number of molecules (N).  

$\boxed{ \ moles = \frac{N}{6.02 \times 10^{23}} \ } \rightarrow \boxed{ \ N = moles \times 6.02 \times 10^{23} \ }$

$\boxed{ \ N = 2.84 \times 10^{-3} \ moles \times 6.02 \times 10^{23} \ \frac{molecules}{mol} \ }$

Thus the amount of molecules in 500 mg C₆H₈O₆ are $\boxed{ \ 1.71 \times 10^{21} \ molecules \ }$.  

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Quick Steps  

$\boxed{ \ \frac{6.02 \times 10^{23} \ molecules}{1 \ mol} \times \frac{1 \ mole}{176 \ gram} \times 0.5 \ grams \ } = \boxed{ \ 1.71 \times 10^{21} \ molecules \ }$

Learn more  

1. Determine the mass of aspirin from the number of molecules brainly.com/question/10567477
2. Determine the number of moles of water produced. brainly.com/question/4142557
3. What is the formula for the hydrate?  brainly.com/question/13012523

Answer 2

1) molar mass of the C6H8O6, you need to consult the atomic weight of the C, H and O atoms that are in the periodic table: C is 12; H is 1; O is 16
(12x6)+(1x8)+(16x6)= 176g/mol

176 g = 1 mol
0,5 g =  x mol                500mg= 0,5 grams

molar mass = mass÷ moles
176 = 0,5÷ x
x= 2,84 x 10⁻³ mol

2) To find the number of molecules present in those 2,84 x 10⁻³ mol we need to multiple the moles by the Avogadro's constant
No. of molecules = Avogadro's constant  x n° of moles
No. of molecules = 6.022 x 10²³ x 2,84 x 10⁻³
= 1.71 x 10²¹ molecules of vit C.