Question

How many grams are in 3.14 moles of PI₃?

Answer 1

Answer:

$\boxed {\boxed {\sf 1290 \ g \ PI_3}}$

Explanation:

We want to convert from moles to grams, so we must use the molar mass.

1. Molar Mass

The molar mass is the mass of 1 mole of a substance. It is the same as the atomic masses on the Periodic Table, but the units are grams per mole (g/mol) instead of atomic mass units (amu).

We are given the compound PI₃ or phosphorus triiodide. Look up the molar masses of the individual elements.

• Phosphorus (P): 30.973762 g/mol
• Iodine (I): 126.9045 g/mol

Note that there is a subscript of 3 after the I in the formula. This means there are 3 moles of iodine in 1 mole of the compound PI₃. We should multiply iodine's molar mass by 3, then add phosphorus's molar mass.

• I₃: 126.9045 * 3=380.7135 g/mol

• PI₃: 30.973762 + 380.7135 = 411.687262 g/mol

2. Convert Moles to Grams

Use the molar mass as a ratio.

$\frac {411.687262 \ g \ PI_3}{ 1 \ mol \ PI_3}$

We want to convert 3.14 moles to grams, so we multiply by that value.

$3.14 \ mol \ PI_3 *\frac {411.687262 \ g \ PI_3}{ 1 \ mol \ PI_3}$

The units of moles of PI₃ cancel.

$3.14 *\frac {411.687262 \ g \ PI_3}{ 1 }$

$1292.698 \ g\ PI_3$

3. Round

The original measurement of moles has 3 significant figures, so our answer must have the same. For the number we calculated, that is the tens place.

• 1292.698

The 2 in the ones place tells us to leave the 9.

$1290 \ g \ PI_3$

3.14 moles of phosphorous triiodide is approximately equal to 1290 grams of phosphorus triodide.