Ammonium sulfate, (NH₄)₂SO₄, is used in fertilizers to provide nitrogen for the soil. (7.1, 7.2)c. How many moles of ammonium sulfate contain 7.4 x 10²⁵ atoms of N?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula of ammonium sulfate: \((NH_4)_2SO_4\).
2. Determine the number of nitrogen atoms in one formula unit of ammonium sulfate. Each \(NH_4\) group contains one nitrogen atom, and there are two \(NH_4\) groups, so there are 2 nitrogen atoms per formula unit.
3. Use Avogadro's number \(6.022 \times 10^{23}\) to relate atoms to moles. Calculate the number of moles of nitrogen atoms in 7.4 \times 10^{25} atoms of N by dividing by Avogadro's number.
4. Since each mole of ammonium sulfate contains 2 moles of nitrogen atoms, divide the moles of nitrogen atoms by 2 to find the moles of ammonium sulfate.
5. Compile the steps to find the moles of ammonium sulfate from the given number of nitrogen atoms.

Key Concepts

Moles and Avogadro's Number

A mole is a unit in chemistry that represents 6.022 x 10²³ entities, such as atoms or molecules. This number, known as Avogadro's number, allows chemists to convert between the mass of a substance and the number of particles it contains. Understanding moles is essential for quantifying chemical reactions and stoichiometry.

Chemical Formula Interpretation

The chemical formula of a compound provides information about the types and numbers of atoms present. In ammonium sulfate, (NH₄)₂SO₄, there are two ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) contributing two nitrogen atoms and one sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻). Recognizing how to interpret chemical formulas is crucial for determining the composition of compounds and calculating moles.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the area of chemistry that deals with the relationships between the quantities of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows for the calculation of moles of substances involved based on their ratios in a balanced equation. In this case, stoichiometry helps determine how many moles of ammonium sulfate correspond to a given number of nitrogen atoms.