What is the molecular mass of an alkanoic acid, if 0.5 mole of the acid weighs 44g?

Answer Details

The molecular mass (molar mass) of a substance is defined as the mass of one mole of that substance. The relationship is:

\[\text{Molar mass} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Number of moles}}\]

Given that 0.5 mole of the alkanoic acid weighs 44 g:

\[\text{Molar mass} = \frac{44\,\text{g}}{0.5\,\text{mol}} = 88\,\text{g/mol}\]

The molecular mass of the alkanoic acid is therefore 88. This corresponds to butanoic acid (CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH), which has the molecular formula C₄H₈O₂: (4 x 12) + (8 x 1) + (2 x 16) = 48 + 8 + 32 = 88.

A common error is to multiply mass by moles instead of dividing. Remember: if a fraction of a mole has a certain mass, the full mole must weigh proportionally more.