How to Find Atomic Mass

To find Atomic mass, it is important to understand whether the given sample is an atom,
a sample containing isotopes of the atom at a given ratio, or if it is a natural sample of
the element.

What is Atomic Mass?

Atomic mass can be defined as the total mass of one atom of any given element. The
unit of atomic mass is called the unified atomic mass unit (denoted by ‘u’). Most of the
atomic mass of a substance is made up of protons and neutrons. Therefore, it is almost
equal to its mass number.

Relative isotopic mass refers to the mass of an isotope of an element when compared
to one-twelfth of the mass of the carbon 12 isotope (which is equal to 12). It is also
called atomic weight.

How to Find Atomic Mass?

Find Atomic Mass for a Single Atom

Since the combined masses of protons and neutrons account for almost all the mass of
the given atom, the atomic mass of a single atom can be calculated by adding the total
number of protons and the total number of neutrons of that particular isotope.

The number of protons in a given atom is always equal to its atomic number. For
example, the atomic number of oxygen is 8, therefore the total number of protons in an
oxygen atom is 8. The total number of neutrons is generally specified when describing
which isotope the atom belongs to.

Example: Calculation of the atomic mass of an oxygen molecule with 9 neutrons.

Total number of protons in oxygen = Atomic number of oxygen = 8

Total number of neutrons in the isotope (given) = 9

Atomic mass of the given oxygen atom = 8+9 = 17

Find the Atomic Mass of a Natural Sample

The atomic mass of the given natural sample can be easily looked up on the periodic
table. To find the element on the periodic table, the element symbol or its atomic
number must be known. Once the required data is attained, it can be compared with
the periodic table where the atomic mass of the natural sample in atomic mass units will
be provided in decimal figures.

Find the Atomic Mass of a Given Ratio of Isotopes

When the sample is a mixture of isotopes of the given element in varying percentages,
the following method can be used:

Step 1: Multiply the atomic mass of the isotope with its abundance percentage and
divide the result by 100.

Step 2: Add the values gained from step 1 for each given isotope in the sample.

Example: Calculating the atomic mass of a given chlorine sample where two isotopes
are mixed. The first isotope has an atomic mass of 34.96885 and has an abundance of
75.78%. The second isotope has an atomic mass of 36.96590 and has an abundance of
24.22%.

Step 1: (Atomic mass of each isotope) x (%Abundance /100)

34.96885*0.7578 = 26.50 (i)

36.96590*0.2422 = 8.95 (ii)

Step 2: Adding (i) and (ii), the atomic mass of the given sample is determined.

26.50 + 8.95 = 35.45

Thus, the atomic mass of the given sample of chlorine was found to be 35.45

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Uses of Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid is formed when hydrogen chloride gas is mixed with water. This aqueous
solution of hydrochloric acid is known as muriatic acid. It is a colourless gas which has a
pungent smell. Each molecule of HCl is composed of a one-to-one ratio of hydrogen and
chlorine. It is a highly corrosive chemical compound and can be toxic as well.

Hydrochloric acid which is also known as muriatic acid is a poisonous, corrosive hazardous
liquid that reacts with most metals to form explosive hydrogen gas and causes severe burns and
irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes. It is made by absorbing hydrogen chloride in
water. Most acid is the by-product of chlorination. Pure acid is produced by burning chlorine and
hydrogen.

Hydrogen acid is available in technical, recovered, food processing and reagent grades.
Frequently the commercial grades are slightly yellow as a result of impurities notably dissolved
iron. The reagent grade, which normally contains about 37.1% hydrochloric acid, is perfectly
clear and colourless.

Table of Contents
 Hydrochloric Acid Uses
 5 Common Uses of Hydrochloric Acid
 Hydrochloric Acid Uses in Daily Life
 Recommended Videos
 HCl Acid Uses
 Frequently Asked Questions on Uses of Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric Acid Uses

One interesting thing about hydrochloric acid is that our stomachs make this chemical naturally
which further helps in the digestion of food. Hydrochloric acid acidifies the stomach contents.

This acid is also found primarily in several industries like rubber, textiles, and even photography.
It is also a common item in homes. Industrially, it is used to process steel, in the production of
batteries, fireworks and more. The most common uses of hydrochloric acid is mentioned down
here:
5 Common Uses of Hydrochloric Acid
1. Production of Organic Compounds
2. Production of Inorganic Compounds
3. Removing metal stains
4. Oil production
5. Purification of Table Salt, and pH Control

1. Production of Organic Compounds

Hydrochloric acid is used in the production of organic compounds like vinyl chloride and
dichloromethane for plastics or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), bisphenol A, and many others.

2. Production of Inorganic Compounds

This acid is used to prepare compounds that are used as water treatment chemicals. Some
examples include polyaluminium chloride (PAC), iron(III) chloride, and an aluminium
carbohydrate which are used in treating the water. It is also used in the regeneration of ion
exchange resins and it is specifically used to rinse the cations from the resins.

3. Removing Metal Stains and Cleaning Stone and Tiles

Hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive and because of this nature, it is used as a chemical to
remove stains or rust, especially from metals like iron, copper, and others. It is often used in a
diluted form. Hydrochloric acid is commonly used for cleaning tiles in kitchens and bathrooms
and it also disinfects thoroughly. It is also used in the textile industry for bleaching clothes and
processing leather in the leather tanning industry.

4. For Purification of Table Salt and pH Control

This acid is used to purify table salts. Further, HCl is used mostly for regulating the acidity (pH)
of solutions and it is used in controlling the pH of pharmaceutical products, foods, and water.

5. For Oil Production

Hydrochloric acid is used in oil production. Generally, hydrochloric acid is injected into a rock
and large-pore structures are formed due to the reactions. Now, this significantly assists in oil
production.
These are some popular uses of hydrochloric acid. To know more about the properties and
structure of acids and bases you can keep visiting BYJU’s or download our app for interesting
content and learning experience.

Hydrochloric Acid Uses in Daily Life

Until its many industrial uses were realized, hydrochloric acid was dissolved in liquids and
dumped in the sea. Hydrochloric acid is a solution of hydrogen chloride gas in water. Some main
industrial uses of hydrochloric acid are cleaning or pickling of metals

 Production of glucose and corn sugar from starch

 Refining of cane sugar
 Making glue and gelatin
 Manufacturing synthetic rubber and plastics
 Purification of common salt
 Manufacture of aqua regia to dissolve noble metals such as gold and platinum.

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Hydrochloric acid V/s Organic Acids
HCl is the most commonly used acid. It is very corrosive. Organic acids like acetic acid and
formic acids are used rarely in the place of HCl though both of them are weaker compared to
hydrochloric acid. But acetic acid is stronger than formic acid and can be used as a replacement
for hydrochloric acid if necessary. Acetic and formic acids are more commonly used in
combination with HCl, HCl-acetic, HCl-formic and formic acetic acid blends exist for high-
temperature acidizing applications.

Frequently Asked Questions on Uses of

Hydrochloric Acid
Q1

What is hydrochloric acid used for?

HCl is used in the production of organic compounds, production of inorganic compounds,

removing metal stains, oil production, purification of table salt and pH control.
Q2

Is hydrochloric acid dangerous?

Hydrochloric acid is known as a toxic substance. Acidic mist may contain condensed
hydrochloric acid, known as hydrochloric acid fumes. Both this mist and the solution have a
corrosive effect on human tissue, with the ability to irreversibly damage breathing organs, hair,
skin, and intestines.
Q3

Is hydrochloric acid a compound?

Yes, hydrochloric acid is a compound. It is formed by the reaction of hydrogen and chlorine.
Hydrogen chloride is a gas at atmospheric temperature and pressure. Its aqueous solution is
called hydrochloric acid.
Q4

Is HCl a volatile acid?

Hydrochloric acid is a volatile substance, and membrane distillation will isolate it from its
solutions.
Q5

What is another name for hydrochloric acid?

The other names of hydrochloric acid are hydrogen chloride and muriatic acid. HCl is a
component of gastric juice.

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