Question

Equal masses of `"S"_2`, `"S"_4` and `"S"_8` are taken. Highest number of sulphur atoms are present in?

1. `"S"_2`

2. `"S"_4`

3. `"S"_8`

4. All have equal number of atoms.

Answer 1

4

Explanation:

Sulfur has an atomic mass of 32 grams per mole. To find the number of sulfur atoms take the mass divide by 32 g/mole and multiply by avogardro's number `6.02 xx 10^23` atoms /mole.

Since all of the sample have the same mass all will have the same number of atoms.

Each sample will have a different number of molecules, as the different forms of sulfur have different number of atoms in the molecule.

`S_2` will have the highest number of molecules because with only two atoms of sulfur per molecules it has the smallest molecular mass.

`S_8` will have the lowest number of molecules because with eight atoms of sulfur per molecules it has the highest molecular mass.

Keep in mind the difference between molecules and atoms.