Answer to Question #260055 in General Chemistry for Sam

Question

How many molecules of oxygen are in one mol of lactic acid

Answer 1

The formula of lactic acid is C₃H₆O₃.

As we know, one mole of any substance contains 6.022·10²³ molecules. Therefore, 1 mol of a lactic acid contains that many molecules. Each molecule contains 3 atoms of oxygen, therefore, 1 mol of lactic acid contains 3·6.022·10²³=1.81·10²⁴ atoms of oxygen. Since a regular molecule of oxygen consists of 2 atoms of oxygen, we can say it's equivalent to 9.03·10²³ molecules of oxygen gas O₂.