Calculate the weight of 1 mole of K2SO4 (Potassium Sulfate) and other molar quantities instantly.
Enter the number of moles (default is 1 for Molar Mass).
Please enter a valid positive number.
Standard (K=39.10, S=32.07, O=16.00)
High Precision (IUPAC)
Choose the precision level for atomic masses.
Total Weight (Mass)
174.259 g
Formula: 1 mol × 174.259 g/mol
Potassium (K) Mass
78.197 g
Sulfur (S) Mass
32.065 g
Oxygen (O) Mass
63.996 g
Mass Contribution Breakdown
Mass contribution by element for K2SO4
Atomic Breakdown Table
Element
Atoms per Molecule
Atomic Weight (g/mol)
Total Mass Contribution (g)
Table 1: Detailed breakdown of the atomic components in Potassium Sulfate.
What is "calculate the weight of 1 mole of k2so4"?
When chemists or students need to calculate the weight of 1 mole of k2so4, they are essentially determining the molar mass of Potassium Sulfate. K2SO4 is a non-flammable white crystalline salt commonly used in fertilizers providing both potassium and sulfur.
Knowing the exact weight of 1 mole is crucial for stoichiometry in chemical reactions. Whether you are preparing a solution for a laboratory experiment or calculating the required dosage for agricultural soil amendment, accuracy in this calculation ensures the correct chemical proportions are used.
This calculator is designed for students, chemists, and agricultural professionals who need to quickly determine the mass of any given amount of Potassium Sulfate, eliminating the potential for manual arithmetic errors.
K2SO4 Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The process to calculate the weight of 1 mole of k2so4 is based on summing the standard atomic weights of all atoms present in the chemical formula.
Formula: Molar Mass = (2 × K) + (1 × S) + (4 × O)
Potassium Sulfate ($K_2SO_4$) consists of:
2 atoms of Potassium (K)
1 atom of Sulfur (S)
4 atoms of Oxygen (O)
Here are the atomic variables used in the calculation:
Variable / Element
Symbol
Atomic Weight (g/mol)
Role in Formula
Potassium
K
39.0983
Cation ($K^+$)
Sulfur
S
32.065
Central atom of Sulfate
Oxygen
O
15.999
Surrounding atoms in Sulfate
Table 2: Atomic weights used to calculate the weight of 1 mole of k2so4.
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Standard Laboratory Preparation
Scenario: A lab technician needs to prepare a 1 Molar solution of Potassium Sulfate in a 1-liter volumetric flask.
Interpretation: The technician must weigh out exactly 174.26 grams of anhydrous K2SO4 powder and dissolve it in water to make 1 liter of solution.
Example 2: Agricultural Application
Scenario: An agronomist recommends adding 500 moles of K2SO4 to a specific plot of land to correct a potassium deficiency.
Input: 500 Moles
Calculation: $500 \times 174.26$ grams
Result: 87,130 grams (or 87.13 kg)
Interpretation: The farmer needs to purchase and spread approximately 87.13 kg of Potassium Sulfate fertilizer.
How to Use This K2SO4 Calculator
Enter Moles: Input the number of moles you have. The default is 1, as the primary goal is often to calculate the weight of 1 mole of k2so4.
Select Precision: Choose between "Standard" (textbook values) or "High Precision" (IUPAC values) depending on your needs.
View Results: The tool instantly displays the total weight in grams.
Analyze Breakdown: Review the intermediate values to see how much mass comes from Potassium, Sulfur, and Oxygen respectively.
Copy Data: Use the "Copy Results" button to save the calculation for your lab notebook or report.
Key Factors That Affect Molar Mass Results
While the theoretical calculation is straightforward, several factors can affect the practical weight measurement when you try to calculate the weight of 1 mole of k2so4 in a real-world setting:
Isotopic Variation: Standard atomic weights are averages. Samples from different geological sources might have slightly different isotopic ratios of Sulfur or Oxygen, slightly altering the molar mass.
Hydration State: K2SO4 is typically anhydrous, but if the sample has absorbed moisture (hygroscopic), the weighed mass will include water weight, skewing the mole calculation.
Purity Levels: Agricultural grade K2SO4 is not 100% pure. It may contain traces of Chloride or other salts. Calculations must assume 100% purity or be adjusted by a purity factor (e.g., 95% pure).
Measurement Precision: The precision of the balance used to weigh the substance affects the practical realization of "1 mole." Analytical balances offer higher precision than standard scales.
Atomic Weight Standards: Periodic tables vary slightly. Some round Oxygen to 16.00, while others use 15.999. This calculator offers both options to accommodate different textbook standards.
Experimental Error: Loss of material during transfer or weighing errors can result in a discrepancy between the calculated weight and the actual effective moles in a solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the exact molar mass of K2SO4?
Using high-precision atomic weights, the molar mass is approximately 174.259 g/mol. Most textbooks round this to 174.26 g/mol.
2. Why do I need to calculate the weight of 1 mole of k2so4?
It is the fundamental constant required to convert between the mass of the substance (which you can measure on a scale) and the amount of substance in moles (which governs chemical reactions).
3. Is Potassium Sulfate the same as Potash?
Not exactly. "Potash" is a general term often referring to Potassium Chloride (KCl) or Potassium Carbonate. K2SO4 is specifically "Sulfate of Potash" (SOP), which is preferred for chloride-sensitive crops.
4. How does the percentage of Potassium affect the weight?
Potassium accounts for about 44.87% of the total mass of K2SO4. This high percentage makes it an efficient carrier for potassium in fertilizers.
5. Can I use this calculator for hydrated K2SO4?
No, this calculator assumes anhydrous (dry) K2SO4. If you have a hydrate, you must add the weight of the water molecules ($18.015 \text{ g/mol} \times \text{number of water molecules}$) to the total.
6. What if my input is in kilograms?
Convert your value to grams first (multiply kg by 1000) or remember that the result for 1 kilomole would be in kilograms.
7. Is K2SO4 acidic or basic?
Potassium Sulfate is a salt formed from a strong base (KOH) and a strong acid ($H_2SO_4$), making it roughly neutral in solution, though calculations here focus purely on mass, not pH.
8. Does temperature affect the molar mass?
No. Molar mass is a constant property of the molecule determined by nuclear physics (protons and neutrons), unaffected by temperature or pressure.