How do you calculate the formula mass of aluminum carbonate?

1 Answer
Sep 17, 2016

Of #"aluminum carbonate"#, the formula mass is the sum of the individual atomic masses; approx. #234.08*g*mol^-1#.

Explanation:

The formula mass of #Al_2(CO_3)_3# #=# #{2xx26.98("Al")+3xx12.011("C")+9xx15.999("O")}*g*mol^-1}# #=# #??#

From where did I get the individual atomic masses? Did I know them off the top of my head? From where will you get them if you are asked this question in an exam?