Yes, formula mass is applicable for urea.
Urea (chemical formula: (NH₂)₂CO) is a covalent compound, and while the term "formula mass" is often used interchangeably with "molecular mass" for covalent compounds, it's perfectly acceptable and correct to use "formula mass" when referring to urea. It represents the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in urea's chemical formula.
Here's a breakdown:
- Formula Mass Definition: The formula mass is the sum of the atomic weights of the atoms in the compound's empirical formula.
- Urea's Formula: Urea's chemical formula is (NH₂)₂CO.
- Calculating Formula Mass of Urea:
- Nitrogen (N): 2 atoms * 14.01 amu/atom = 28.02 amu
- Hydrogen (H): 4 atoms * 1.01 amu/atom = 4.04 amu
- Carbon (C): 1 atom * 12.01 amu/atom = 12.01 amu
- Oxygen (O): 1 atom * 16.00 amu/atom = 16.00 amu
- Total: 28.02 + 4.04 + 12.01 + 16.00 = 60.07 amu
Therefore, the formula mass of urea is approximately 60.07 atomic mass units (amu). The molar mass of urea, which is numerically equivalent, is approximately 60.07 g/mol.
In conclusion, while "molecular mass" might be the more commonly used term for covalent compounds like urea, "formula mass" is also correct and applicable. The formula mass provides a quantitative measure of the mass of one formula unit of the compound.
