To calculate the mass of 2.5 moles of CO2, what is the first step?

To calculate the mass of 2.5 moles of CO2, the first step involves identifying the weight of carbon and oxygen. This is essential because the mass of a compound can be determined by knowing the individual atomic masses of its constituent elements and then using these values to calculate the overall molar mass of the compound.

CO2 is composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. By referencing the periodic table, one can find that carbon has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 grams per mole, while oxygen has an atomic mass of approximately 16.00 grams per mole. Therefore, the molar mass of CO2 can be calculated as follows:

1 (12.01 g/mol for C) + 2 (16.00 g/mol for O) = 44.01 g/mol for CO2.

With the molar mass determined, you can then use it to find the total mass for a specific number of moles, in this case by multiplying 2.5 moles of CO2 by its molar mass (44.01 g/mol). This step is crucial before any calculations regarding volume, temperature, or pressure, which are not directly related to calculating mass from moles in this context.