To find the number of moles of Alanine, we first need to find its molar mass
<u>Finding the Molar mass:</u>
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
<em>We know the following molar masses:</em>
<em>C is 12 g/mol</em>
<em>H is 1 g/mol</em>
<em>N is 14 g/mol</em>
<em>O is 16 g/mol</em>
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
<u>Number of moles of Alanine in a 159 gram sample:</u>
Number of moles = Given mass / Molar mass
Number of moles = 159 / 89
Number of Moles = 1.78 moles