Question

calculate the formula mass for hydrochloric acid. express your answer in atomic mass units to two decimal places. formula mass = amu

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the formula of HCl

Hydrochloric acid has the chemical formula \( \text{HCl} \), which consists of one hydrogen (H) atom and one chlorine (Cl) atom.

Step2: Find atomic masses

The atomic mass of hydrogen (H) is approximately \( 1.008 \, \text{amu} \), and the atomic mass of chlorine (Cl) is approximately \( 35.45 \, \text{amu} \).

Step3: Calculate formula mass

The formula mass of \( \text{HCl} \) is the sum of the atomic masses of its constituent atoms. So, we add the atomic mass of H and Cl:
\( \text{Formula mass} = 1.008 + 35.45 \)

Step4: Perform the addition

\( 1.008 + 35.45 = 36.458 \), which rounds to two decimal places as \( 36.46 \).

Answer:

\( 36.46 \)