Calculating molar mass: The mass of 1 mole of sodium chloride, $\mathrm{Na}\mathrm{Cl}$, is closest to which value? (Use atomic masses $\mathrm{Na}\approx 22.99$ and $\mathrm{Cl}\approx 35.45$.)

• A. $58.44g/\mathrm{mol}$
• B. $116.88g/\mathrm{mol}$
• C. $35.45g/\mathrm{mol}$
• D. $22.99g/\mathrm{mol}$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic masses of the elements in sodium chloride (NaCl). According to the problem, sodium (Na) has an atomic mass of approximately 22.99 g/mol, and chlorine (Cl) has an atomic mass of approximately 35.45 g/mol.
2. Recall that the molar mass of a compound is the sum of the molar masses of all atoms present in one mole of the compound. Since NaCl consists of one atom of sodium and one atom of chlorine, you will add their atomic masses together.
3. Write the expression for the molar mass of NaCl as: \(M_{\text{NaCl}} = M_{\text{Na}} + M_{\text{Cl}}\).
4. Substitute the given atomic masses into the expression: \(M_{\text{NaCl}} = 22.99\ \text{g/mol} + 35.45\ \text{g/mol}\).
5. Add the two values to find the molar mass of sodium chloride, which will give you the mass of 1 mole of NaCl in grams per mole.