The following formula allows for the interconversion between a mass in grams and a number of moles for a given substance:

    \[Amount(mol) = \frac{mass(g)}{M_r} \]

Example 1:

Calculate the amount, in moles, of 8.8 g of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Step 1: Calculate the relative formula mass (Mr) of carbon dioxide (CO2).

    \[Carbon\,dioxide = CO_2 \]

    \[Atoms\,present = (1 \times C) + (2 \times O) \]

    \[M_r = (1 \times 12) + (2 \times 16) = 44 \]

Step 2: Use the formula to calculate the amount in moles.

    \[Amount = \frac{mass(g)}{M_r} \]

    \[Amount = \frac{8.8}{44} \]

    \[Amount = 0.2 mol \]

Example 2:

Calculate the mass of 2 mol of copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4).

Step 1: Calculate the relative formula mass (Mr) of copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4).

    \[copper(II)\,sulfate = CuSO_4 \]

    \[Atoms\,present = (1 \times Cu) + (1 \times S) + (4 \times O) \]

    \[M_r = (1 \times 63.5) + (1 \times 32) + (4 \times 16) = 159.5 \]

Step 2: Rearrange the formula to calculate the mass.

    \[mass = amount \times M_r \]

    \[mass = 2 \times 159.5 \]

    \[mass = 319g\]