What is the approximate molar mass of carbon (C)?

The approximate molar mass of carbon is 12.01 g/mol. This value represents the mass of one mole of carbon atoms and is based on the average atomic mass calculated from the isotopic composition of carbon found in nature.

Carbon has a key role in organic chemistry and is an essential element for life. It has an atomic number of 6, indicating that each carbon atom has six protons. The atomic mass is derived primarily from the more abundant isotope of carbon, carbon-12, which accounts for most naturally occurring carbon. The small variation in the molar mass, which is expressed as 12.01 g/mol, incorporates the presence of carbon-13 and traces of carbon-14, which are isotopes of carbon but make up only a minor part of naturally occurring carbon.

Understanding the molar mass of elements is crucial for stoichiometric calculations in chemistry, particularly when measuring and reacting the substances in chemical reactions. Hence, the choice of 12.01 g/mol as the molar mass of carbon is accurate and significant for students studying chemistry.