High School

Select the correct answer.



The atomic mass of potassium is 39.1. What is the mass of [tex]$6.02 \times 10^{23}$[/tex] atoms of potassium?



A. [tex]39.1 \, \text{mg}[/tex]

B. [tex]39.1 \, \text{g}[/tex]

C. [tex]39.1 \, \text{kg}[/tex]

D. [tex]6.02 \times 39.1 \, \text{mg}[/tex]

E. [tex]6.02 \times 39.1 \, \text{g}[/tex]

Answer :

- The atomic mass of potassium is 39.1, meaning one mole of potassium atoms weighs 39.1 grams.
- One mole contains approximately $6.022 \times 10^{23}$ atoms (Avogadro's number).
- Therefore, $6.02 \times 10^{23}$ atoms of potassium have a mass of approximately 39.1 grams.
- The correct answer is $\boxed{39.1 g}$.

### Explanation
1. Understanding the Problem
The problem states that the atomic mass of potassium is 39.1. We are asked to find the mass of $6.02

\times 10^{23}$ atoms of potassium.

2. Key Concepts
Recall that the atomic mass of an element is the mass of one mole of that element. One mole of any substance contains Avogadro's number of atoms, which is approximately $6.022

\times 10^{23}$.

3. Solution
Since the atomic mass of potassium is 39.1, one mole of potassium has a mass of 39.1 grams. Therefore, $6.02

\times 10^{23}$ atoms of potassium have a mass of approximately 39.1 grams.

4. Final Answer
The mass of $6.02

\times 10^{23}$ atoms of potassium is approximately 39.1 grams. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

### Examples
Imagine you're baking a cake and need a specific amount of an ingredient, like potassium. Knowing the atomic mass helps you measure out the correct quantity. In chemistry, this is crucial for creating compounds with precise ratios of elements. Similarly, in materials science, understanding atomic mass is essential for designing new materials with specific properties. This concept is also used in environmental science to measure pollutants and their impact on the environment.