To determine the molar mass of silver (Ag), we need to consider its atomic mass. The atomic mass of an element is the average mass of its naturally occurring isotopes.
Silver has two stable isotopes: silver-107 and silver-109, with relative abundances of about 51.839% and 48.161%, respectively.
- The atomic mass of silver-107 is approximately 106.90509 u (unified atomic mass units).
- The atomic mass of silver-109 is approximately 108.90476 u.
The average atomic mass (or atomic weight) of silver can be calculated using the relative abundances and atomic masses of its isotopes:
Atomic weight of Ag = (Abundance of Ag-107 * Mass of Ag-107) + (Abundance of Ag-109 * Mass of Ag-109)
Plugging in the values:
Atomic weight of Ag = (0.51839 * 106.90509 u) + (0.48161 * 108.90476 u)
Performing the calculation:
Atomic weight of Ag = 55.29339 u + 52.59575 u Atomic weight of Ag ≈ 107.88914 u
Given that the molar mass of an element is the mass of one mole of that element’s atoms in grams per mole (g/mol), it is numerically equivalent to the element’s atomic mass in unified atomic mass units (u). Therefore, the molar mass of silver (Ag) is approximately 107.87 g/mol, which matches the given answer.
Understanding molar mass is crucial in chemistry, as it allows for the calculation of the amount of substance (in moles) given the mass of the substance, and vice versa. It’s a fundamental concept used in stoichiometry, the part of chemistry that studies amounts of substances that are involved in reactions.
For any chemical reaction or process involving silver, knowing its molar mass enables chemists to accurately calculate the quantities needed or produced, making it essential for both theoretical and practical applications in chemistry and related fields.
Moreover, molar mass calculations are pivotal in various scientific disciplines, serving as a bridge between the microscopic world of atoms and molecules and the macroscopic world of observable properties and reactions.
Thus, the molar mass of silver, or any other element, is not just a piece of data but a key to unlocking a deeper understanding of chemical processes and phenomena.
