How to Calculate the Mass of Xenon

Xenon is a chemical element found in very small amounts in the atmosphere. Xenon is a member of the noble gas family, along with helium, neon, radon and others. Xenon is used in a variety of optical applications, such as strobe lights, flash photography bulbs and lasers. Xenon has an atomic mass of 131.293 and it's atomic number is 54.

Instructions

• 1

  Calculate the number of moles of xenon you are attempting to measure. If you are asked to calculate the mass of xenon on an exam, the volume may be given to you as part of the question. A mole of gas is equal to about 6.02214 x 10^23 molecules of a substance.

• 2

  Calculate the molar mass of xenon using the atomic mass. Fortunately, the atomic mass can be converted directly to molar mass by substituting grams for atomic units. Therefore, xenon, with an atomic mass of 131.293, has a molar mass of 131.293 g/mol.

• 3

  Multiply the number of moles times the molar mass of xenon. For example, if you find that you have 5 moles of xenon, multiply this number by the atomic mass of xenon -- 131.293 g/mol. The resulting mass is equal to 5 x 131.293 = 656.465 grams.