How is the relationship between mass, molar mass, and moles represented?

The relationship between mass, molar mass, and moles is fundamentally expressed through the formula where the number of moles (n) is equal to the mass (m) of a substance divided by its molar mass (M). This relationship is derived from the definition of molar mass, which indicates the mass of one mole of a substance.

When you divide the mass of a sample by its molar mass, you are effectively determining how many moles of that substance are present in that specific mass. This formula is essential in stoichiometry, as it allows chemists to convert between mass and the number of moles, facilitating calculations that involve reactions and compound relationships.

In practical applications, if you know the mass of a substance you have and you know its molar mass (which can be found on the periodic table or calculated from its chemical formula), you can easily calculate the number of moles using this relationship. This makes it a cornerstone concept in chemistry that directly relates to quantifying substances in chemical equations and reactions.