Formulae, stoichiometry and the

3
mole concept
Content

3.1 Symbols, Formulae and Chemical equations

3.2 Concept of Relative Mass
3.3 Mole Concept and Stoichiometry

Learning Outcomes

Candidates should be able to:

(a) State the symbols of the elements and formulae of the compounds mentioned in the syllabus.

(b) Deduce the formulae of simple compounds from the relative numbers of atoms present and
vice versa.

(c) Deduce the formulae of ionic compounds from the charges on the ions present and vice versa.

(d) Interpret chemical equations with state symbols.

(e) Construct chemical equations, with state symbols, including ionic equations.

(f) Define relative atomic mass, Ar.

(g) Define relative molecular mass, Mr, and calculate relative molecular mass (and relative formula
mass) as the sum of relative atomic masses.

(h) Calculate the percentage mass of an element in a compound when given appropriate
information.

(i) Calculate empirical and molecular formulae from relevant data.

(j) Calculate stoichiometric reacting masses and volumes of gases (one mole of gas occupies 24
dm3 at room temperature and pressure); calculations involving the idea of limiting reactants
may be set. (The gas laws and the calculations of gaseous volumes at different temperatures
and pressures are not required.)

(k) Apply the concept of solution concentration (in mol/dm3 or g/dm3) to process the results of
volumetric experiments and to solve simple problems. (Appropriate guidance will be provided
where unfamiliar reactions are involved.)

(l) Calculate % yield and % purity.

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Symbols, formulae and chemical
3.1
equations

Symbols
Each element is represented by a symbol, based on its name.
The symbol is generally represented by the first capital letter of the
atom of that element.
When more than one element start with the same letter, the first two
letters are chosen or their first and third letters are chosen.
Either the English name or Latin name is chosen to derive each symbol.

Examples

Phosphorus P, Polonium Po, Potassium K (Latin kalium).

st nd st rd
st 1 and 2 1 and 3 From Latin
1 Letter
Letters Letters Names
Copper (Cu)
Boron (B) Aluminium (Al) Chlorine (Cl)
(Cuprum)
Gold (Au)
Carbon (C) Argon (Ar) Magnesium (Mg)
(Aurum)
Sodium (Na)
Hydrogen (H) Barium (Ba) Manganese (Mn)
(Natrium)
Tin (Sn)
Uranium (U) Cobalt (Co) Zinc (Zn)
(Stannum)

Valency
Valency is the combining power of an atom. It is equal to the number of
electrons that the atom uses to form bonds.

Valency of an atom may vary from 0 (Helium) to 8 (Osmium).

Noble gases have a stable electronic configuration with a valency of zero.

Every atom aims to achieve stable noble gas structure by loosing or gaining
electrons.

Various elements, such as transition metals, have variable valency. Their

combining capacity changes with the conditions of the reaction.

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 Examples

Iron can have valency of 2 or 3.

Copper can have valency of 1 or 2.
Phosphorus can have valency of 3 or 5.

Depending on the valency, the atoms form ions with different charges.

Examples

Cations of various charges.

Monovalent (1) Bivalent (2) Trivalent (3)

Hydrogen Calcium Aluminium
+ 2+
(Al +)
3
(H ) (Ca )
Potassium Copper Chromium
+ 2+
(Cr +)
3
(K ) (Cu )
Silver Iron Iron
+ 2+
(Fe +)
3
(Ag ) (Fe )
Ammonium Zinc
-
(NH4+) (Zn +)
2

Anions of various charges.

Monovalent (1) Bivalent (2) Trivalent (3)

Chloride Oxide Nitride
2
(N )
3
(Cl ) (O )
Hydroxyl Carbonate Phosphate

(CO3 ) (PO4 )
2 3
(OH )
Nitrate Sulphate
-
(NO3) (SO4 )
2

Formulae
A chemical formula is a concise way of expressing information about the
atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound.

Symbols are used in a chemical formula.

It denotes the number of atoms of an element to be found in each discrete

molecule of that compound. The number of atoms (if greater than one) is
indicated as a subscript.

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Every formula is unique to the compound. Thus, it can be used to identify
the compound.

Examples

H2O represents water. The formula shows that in every water

molecule, there are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
H2O2 is hydrogen peroxide. The formula shows that in every molecule,
there are two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms.

When writing a chemical formula, the positive ion is always written first.

Example

The chemical formula of barium sulphate is BaSO4. It is not considered

correct to write SO4Ba, even though it shows the same information.

Empirical formulae
The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest whole-number ratio of
atoms of the elements in a molecule of the compound. It may be different
from the actual number of atoms in the molecule.

For most ionic compounds, the empirical formula is the same as the ionic
formula for that compound.

Example

Sodium chloride, an ionic compound, has the same empirical and ionic
formula NaCl. It is not considered correct to write the formula as
Na2Cl2, even though the ratio of atoms is correct.

Some compounds are never written in their empirical form. For example, hydrogen peroxide is
always written as H2O2.

An ionic formula represents the exact numbers of atoms of each element per formula unit in an
ionic compound. The formula unit of an ionic compound is the smallest possible integer
number of different ions in the compound. (Note the formula unit is analogous to the molecule
in a molecular compound.)

Molecular formulae
The molecular formula of a compound is the actual ratio of atoms in a
molecule of that compound.

It is a positive integer multiple of the empirical formula.

Molecular formula = (Empirical formula)n

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 For some compounds, the molecular formula is the same as the empirical
formula for that compound.

Example

Carbon dioxide has the same molecular and empirical formula CO2.

Different compounds can have the same empirical formula, but different
molecular formulae. They can also have the same empirical formula and the
same molecular formula.

Examples

Benzene (C6H6) and acetylene (C2H2) have the same empirical formula
(CH) but have different molecular formulae.
Cis-dibromoethene and trans-dibromoethene have the same empirical
formula (CHBr) and the same molecular formula (C2H2Br2). The only
way that they can be distinguished is through their structural formulae.

Structural formulae
The structural formula of a compound is the arrangement of atoms in a
molecule of that compound. It shows the way the atoms are bonded
together.

Structural formulae are often used to represent organic compounds.

Example

Structural formula of ethane (C2H6) molecule:

H H

HCCH

H H

Chemical equation
A chemical equation is a representation of a chemical reaction using the
symbols for the participating particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc).

A typical chemical equation has the following form:

catalyst
Reactant(s) Product(s)

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 There are three components in a chemical equation.
Reactants are the substances which exist at the start of a chemical
reaction.
Products are the substances which are created during a chemical
reaction.
A catalyst is a substance that accelerates the rate of a chemical
reaction, without itself being transformed or consumed by the reaction.

Reactants are always written on the left-hand side, while products are
written on the right-hand side.

Arrow ( ): Indicates the direction in which the reaction proceeds.

Double arrow ( U ): This represents a reversible reaction, in which the

products formed can recombine to form the reactants.

The physical state of each reactant and product can also be shown in the
equation using state symbols.
(s) represents solid.
(l) represents liquid.
(g) represents gas.
(aq) represents a solution in water.

Balanced equation
A chemical equation needs to be balanced in accordance to the law of
conservation. There is a conservation of mass, energy, and charge.
A balanced equation has same number of atoms of an element on the
reactant side as well as on the product side.

The number in front of a chemical formula is known as a coefficient. It

describes the amount of the substance involved in a reaction, but not its
identity.

The sum of the coefficients of reactants minus the sum of the coefficients of
the products is called the stoichiometric sum. The equation is balanced
when the stoichiometric sum is equal to zero.

Example

When methane, CH4, burns in air, it produces carbon dioxide and water.
CH4 + O2 CO2 + H2O

The above equation is unbalanced as there are 4H atoms and 2O atoms

on the reactant side and 2H atoms and 3O atoms on the product side.

By putting suitable coefficients, the equation can be balanced with all

coefficients as the smallest whole number.
CH4 + 2O2 CO2 + 2H2O
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 By adding in the states of the reactants and products, the balanced
equation becomes complete.
CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g) CO2 (g) + 2H2O (g)

Ionic equation
An ionic equation is an equation in which only those particles (atoms, ions
and molecules) which participate in the reaction are listed.
Spectator ions are ions that appear on both sides of the reaction that do
not participate in the reaction. They are cancelled out.

Example

A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid reacts with an alkali.

HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)

The Cl and Na+ ions are spectator ions and do not change during the
reaction. They are not listed in the ionic equation.
H+ (aq) + OH (aq) H2O (l)

Ionic equations can be written for any ion exchange reaction in solution. To
write them, follow the following steps:
Write a balanced equation showing the reactant(s) and product(s)
before dissociation.
Re-write the equation with reactant(s) and product(s) dissociated where
appropriate.
Cancel all spectator ions and write the remaining ionic equation.

Example

When aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO3) is added to aqueous sodium

chloride (NaCl), a white solid forms and settles out of the solution.
AgNO3 (aq) + NaCl (aq) AgCl (s) + NaNO3 (aq)

Write the equation to show the ions separately.

Ag+(aq) + NO3(aq) + Na+(aq) + Cl (aq) AgCl (s) + Na (aq) + NO3 (aq)
+

Only the Ag+ ion and the Cl ion are involved in the reaction. The
sodium and nitrate ions are spectators and are unchanged in the
reaction. Hence the ionic equation is:
Ag+(aq) + Cl ( (aq) AgCl (s)

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Worked Examples
Example 1

Balance the following equation: Zn + HCl ZnCl2 + H2.

Solution:

Zn is already balanced on both sides of the equation.

To balance H and Cl, add coefficient 2 in front of HCl.
State symbols can also be included.
Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Example 2

Which of the following equations show the balanced equation for the reaction of
hydrogen with oxygen to form water?
(1) H2 (g) + O2 (g) H2O2 (l)
(2) H2 (g) + O (g) H2O (l)

Solution:

Both equations are not correctly balanced equations for the reaction.

(1) H2O2 is not the correct formula for water.

(2) O is not the correct formula for oxygen. In balancing an equation the
chemical formula of each reactant and product is not changed, only
coefficients are added.

The balanced equation for the reaction is:

2H2 (g) + O2 (g) 2H2O (l)

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3.2 Concept of relative mass

Mass of particles
The masses of atoms and molecules are very small. In chemical calculations,
the actual mass is not used because it is not practical.

Relative masses are used instead. By comparing the masses against one
another, the relationship between different substances can be easily
calculated.

Relative atomic mass

The relative atomic mass (Ar) is the ratio of the average mass per atom of the
naturally occurring form of an element to 12 1 of the mass of a carbon-12

atom.

Mass of one atom of the element

Ar = 12
Mass of one atom of carbon-12

The relative atomic mass of an atom is not the actual mass, but is the ratio of
two masses. Hence, it has no unit.

Since the hydrogen atom is the lightest known atom (one proton and one
electron), the mass of other atoms is compared to it.

Example

A carbon atom has 12 times the mass of a hydrogen atom. Thus, it is

said to have a relative atomic mass of 12.

As it is not always convenient to compare masses with the mass of a

hydrogen atom, atomic masses have been based on the carbon atom
instead.
Carbon has more than one isotope. To be accurate, the isotope carbon-
12 was chosen as a standard.

If an element is a mixture of isotopes, the relative atomic mass is the

average of all the atoms found in the element.

Example

35 37
Chlorine gas is a mixture of molecules containing Cl and Cl atoms.
Thus, the relative atomic mass of chlorine is not a whole number, but is
calculated to be 35.5.

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Relative molecular mass
The relative molecular mass (Mr) is the ratio of the average mass per
1 of
molecule of the naturally occurring form of an element or compound to 12
the mass of a carbon-12 atom.

Mass of one molecule of the compound

Mr = 12
Mass of one atom of carbon-12

The relative molecular mass of a molecule is equal to the sum of the relative
atomic masses of the constituent atoms.

Since it is a ratio, the relative molecular mass has no unit.

Example

Sucrose has a formula C12H22O11. It is made up of 12 carbon atoms, 22

hydrogen atoms and 11 oxygen atoms (relative atomic masses of C, H
and O are 12, 1 and 16 respectively).
Hence relative molecular mass of C12H22O11
= (12 C) + (22 H) + (11 O)
= (12 12) + (22 1) + (11 16)
= 342

Relative formula mass

The relative formula mass is the sum of the relative atomic masses of the
atoms present in the formula of the compound.

Relative formula mass is applied to compounds which are not composed of

molecules, such as ionic compounds.

Since it is a ratio, the relative formula mass has no unit.

Example

Sodium sulphate has a formula Na2SO4. It is made up of 2 sodium

atoms, 1 sulphur atom and 4 oxygen atoms (relative atomic masses of
Na, S and O are 23, 32 and 16 respectively).
Hence relative formula mass of Na2SO4
= (2 Na) + (1 S) + (4 O)
= (2 23) + (1 32) + (4 16)
= 142

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Percentage mass
Percentage mass of an element in a compound is the ratio of total relative
atomic mass of all the atoms of that element to the relative formula mass of
the compound, expressed as a percentage.

Total relative atomic mass of element

Percentage mass = 100
Relative formula mass of compound

Example

To calculate the percent composition by mass of H in H2O:

Relative mass of H in H2O = 2 1 = 2
Relative molecular mass of H2O = (2 1) + (1 16) = 18
2
Percentage mass of H in H2O = 100 = 11.1%
18

Worked Examples
Example 1

What is the percentage by mass of water in hydrated gypsum, CaSO4.2H2O?

Solution:

One CaSO4 contains 2 molecules of H2O.

Relative mass of 2H2O = (4 1) + (2 16) = 36
Relative formula mass of CaSO4.2H2O
= 1 40 + 1 32 + (4 16) + 36 = 172

Percentage by mass of water in CaSO4.2H2O

36
= 100 = 20.9%
172

Example 2

How many grams of oxygen can be produced from the decomposition of 50g of
H2O?

Solution:

Relative molecular mass of H2O = (2 1) + 16 = 18

16
Percentage composition of O in H2O = 100 = 88.89%
18
Amount of oxygen that can be produced from 50g of H2O
= 88.89% 50g = 44.4g

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Example 3

What is the relative molecular mass of (CH2Cl)2CHCH(CHCl2)2?

Solution:

Relative molecular mass of:

(CH2Cl)2 = 2 [12 + (2 1) + 35.5] = 99
CHCH = 2 (12 + 1) = 26
(CHCl2)2 = 2 [12 + 1 + (2 35.5)] = 168

Total relative molecular mass

= 99 + 26 + 168 = 293

Example 4

What is the empirical formula of a hydrocarbon which contains 85.7% of carbon

and 14.3% of hydrogen by mass?

Solution:

Let the formula be CxHy.

Ratio of mass of carbon to hydrogen

x 12 85.7
= =
y 1 14.3
x 1
Thus, =
y 2
Empirical formula is CH2.

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3.3 Mole concept and stoichiometry

The mole
Avogadro Number (or Avogadro constant) is defined as the number of atoms
in 12g of the carbon-12 isotope.

Value of Avogadro Number is 6.023 10 .

23

The mole (mol) is defined as the amount of substance which contains the
Avogadro Number (6.023 10 ) of particles.
23

Number of particles
Number of moles =
6.023 1023

Examples

One mole of copper contains 6.023 10 atoms.

23

One mole of water contains 6.023 10 molecules.

23

One mole of sodium chloride contains 6.023 10 units.

23

One mole of any gas contains 6.023 10 molecules.

23

Molar mass
The mass of one mole of any substance is called the molar mass.
The molar mass of an element is the relative atomic mass in grams.
The molar mass of a covalent compound is the relative molecular mass
in grams.
The molar mass of an ionic compound is the relative formula mass in
grams.

Mass in grams = Number of moles Ar or Mr of substance

Examples

Mr of H2O = (2 1) + (1 16) = 18
Thus, mass of 1 mole of H2O = 18g
Thus, mass of 4 moles of H2O = 4 18 = 72g

Mr of CO2 = (1 12) + (2 16) = 44

88
Thus, 88g CO2 = = 2 moles CO2
44

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Molar volume

Avogadros Law states that equal volumes of gases contain the same number
of molecules, under the same conditions of temperature and pressure.

One mole of any gas contains the Avogadro number of particles and
3 3
occupies a volume of 24 dm (24 000 cm ) at room temperature and
pressure.
The molar volume at r.t.p. (room temperature and pressure) is said to
3
be 24dm .

mass of gas
Volume of gas = molar gas volume
Mr of gas

Examples

Molar volume at r.t.p. = 24dm

3

Thus, volume of 2 mol oxygen gas = 2 24 = 48dm

3

Thus, volume of 0.5 mol carbon dioxide gas = 0.5 24 = 12dm

3

Mr of O2 = (2 16) = 32
Thus, volume of 32g oxygen gas = 24dm
3

48
Thus, volume of 48g oxygen gas = 24 = 36dm3
32
Mr of N2 = (2 14) = 28
Thus, mass of 24dm nitrogen gas = 28g
3

12
Thus, mass of 12dm nitrogen gas =
3
28 = 14g
24

Empirical and molecular formulae calculation

The empirical formula can be determined once the percentage or mass of
each element in a compound is known.
Divide the percentage or mass of each element by its relative atomic
mass to get the number of moles of the element.
Divide by the smallest number to convert to the simplest ratio.
The number of atoms of different elements is the empirical formula.

Examples

When iron is heated in a stream of dry chlorine, it produces a chloride

that contains 34.5% by mass of iron. Given that the relative molecular
mass of this chloride (Mr) is 325, the molecular formula can be
calculated.

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 34.5 (100 34.5)
Ratio of Fe : Cl = :
56 35.5
= 0.616 : 1.845
= 1:3
Thus, empirical formula is FeCl3.

Relative formula mass of FeCl3 = (1 56) + (3 35.5) = 162.5

Let the molecular formula be (FeCl3)n.
325
Thus, n = =2
162.5
Therefore, molecular formula is Fe2Cl6.

Given that a compound is composed of 7.20g of carbon, 1.20g of

hydrogen, and 9.60g of oxygen, the empirical formula can be calculated.

Number of moles of each element:

Carbon: 7.20 12 = 0.6 moles
Hydrogen: 1.20 1 = 1.2 moles
Oxygen: 9.60 16 = 0.6 moles

0.6 1.2 0.6

Ratio of C : H : O = : :
0.6 0.6 0.6
= 1:2:1
Thus, empirical formula is CH2O.

Stoichiometry
Stoichiometry is the measure of relative proportions in which elements form
compounds or in which substances react.

Stoichiometric coefficients are the numbers which appear in front of a

chemical formula in a chemical equation.
They are the numbers of moles of reactant or product which take part in
the reaction.

Molar ratio is the ratio of the coefficients of a balanced equation.

The word stoichiometry derives from two Greek words: stoicheion (meaning "element") and
metron (meaning "measure).

Example

In the equation: 2H2 + O2 2H2O

The molar ratio between H2 and O2 = 2:1
The molar ratio between O2 and H2O = 1:2
The molar ratio between H2 and H2O = 2:2 = 1:1

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Limiting reactants
Limiting reactant is the reactant that gives the smallest amount of product.

The limiting reactant is the substance in a chemical reaction that runs out
first. When the limiting reactant is used up, the reaction stops.

There is a difference between the amounts of reactants used in chemical

reactions and the number of moles actually required (by stoichiometry) for
the reaction to proceed.

In the laboratory, it is often more convenient to have one or more reactants

present in excess, so that only one reactant, the limiting reactant, will be
completely depleted during the reaction.
The amount of limiting reactant can then be used to calculate the
amount of product formed.

Stoichiometric calculations
To calculate the mass of product formed from a limited quantity of reactant.
Balance the equation.
Using the molar mass of the given substance, convert the mass in grams
to moles.
Based on the molar ratio of reactant to product, calculate the moles of
the unknown.
Using the molar mass of the unknown substance, convert the results in
moles to mass in grams.

Examples

To find the mass of NH3 in grams that will be produced if 10g of H2 is

reacted with enough N2 using the Haber process:
N2 + 3H2 2NH3

Check that the chemical equation is balanced.

N2 + 3H2 2NH3
Convert the known substance from grams to moles.
Mr of H2 = 2 1 = 2
10
No. of moles H2 = = 5 mol
2
Find no. of moles of unknown using the coefficients in the balanced
equation.
Molar ratio H2 : NH3 = 3 : 2
5
No. of moles NH3 = 2 = 3.333 mol
3

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 Convert the unknown substance from moles to grams.
Mr of NH3 = 1 14 + (3 1) = 17
Mass of NH3 = 3.333 17 = 56.6g

To find the mass of H2 required to obtain 68g of NH3 from the Haber
process.
Check that the chemical equation is balanced.
N2 + 3H2 2NH3
Convert the known substance from grams to moles.
Mr of NH3 = 1 14 + (3 1) = 17
68
No. of moles NH3 = = 4 moles
17
Find no. of moles of unknown using the coefficients in the balanced
equation.
Molar ratio H2 : NH3 = 3 : 2
4
No. of moles H2 = 3 = 6 mol
2
Convert the unknown substance from moles to grams.
Mr of H2 = 2 1 = 2
Mass of H2 = 6 2 = 12g

Concentration of solutions
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of a liquid (solvent) with a gas or solid
(solute).
A homogeneous mixture means that the composition of the mixture is
the same throughout.
A solution is made up of a solute and a solvent.
Aqueous solutions are those in which the solvent is water.
Number of grams (or moles) of solute
Concentration =
Volume of solution (in dm3 )
Molarity (or molar concentration) is defined as the amount (in moles) of
solute dissolved per unit volume of solution. It is used to describe the
concentration of a solution and how much solute is dissolved.
A concentrated solution contains a high amount of solute, while a dilute
solution contains a small amount of solute.

A 1.00 molar solution contains 1.00 moles of solute in every litre of solution
(not solvent). It can be expressed as 1.00 M or 1.00 mol dm .
1

Examples

To calculate the molarity of a solution containing 10.0g of NaCl

dissolved in 200ml of water.

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Relative formula mass of NaCl = 1 23 + (1 35.5) = 58.5
10
No. of moles NaCl = = 0.1709 mol
58.5
0.1709
Molarity of NaCl = = 0.855 M
0.200

To calculate the mass in grams of CuSO4 required to make up 250ml of a

1.00 M CuSO4 solution.
Number of moles CuSO4 = 1.00 M 0.250 = 0.250 mol
Relative formula mass of CuSO4 = 64 + 32 + (4 16) = 160
Mass of CuSO4 = 0.250 160
= 40g

Percentage yield
Most chemical reactions do not proceed to 100% completion due to a
variety of reasons, including side chemical reactions, experimental error and
environmental factors.

The products which are obtained are less than theoretically expected from
the reaction stoichiometry.
The maximum amount of product that can be obtained from the
reaction is called the theoretical yield.
The actual amount of product that is obtained is the actual yield.
The percentage yield relates the actual yield to the theoretical yield as a
percentage and is always less than 100%.

actual yield
Percentage yield = 100%
theoretical yield

Example

In the equation: 2H2 + O2 2H2O

When 20g of H2 and 220g of O2 were reacted, the theoretical yield of
H2O was 180g, but the actual yield of H2O was only 78g.
78
Percentage yield of H2O = 100% = 43.3%
180

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Percentage purity
Samples of chemicals may not be totally pure. If the purity of the chemical
sample is known, the purity can be accounted for in stoichiometric
calculations.

Percentage purity can be determined by measuring the amount of product

obtained from a reaction. This approach assumes 100% yield of the product.

mass of pure compound in the impure sample

Percentage purity = 100
total mass of impure sample

Example

For the reaction of magnesium hydroxide with phosphoric acid:

3Mg(OH)2 + 2H3PO4 Mg3(PO4)2 + 6H2O

The titration of 2.568g of the magnesium hydroxide sample required

38.45ml of 0.6695 M H3PO4.
Amount of H3PO4 = 0.6695 0.03845 = 0.02574 mol
Molar ratio Mg(OH)2 : H3PO4 = 3 : 2
0.02574
No. of moles Mg(OH)2 = 3 = 0.03861 mol
2
Relative formula mass of Mg(OH)2 = 24 + 2(16 + 1) = 58
Mass of Mg(OH)2 = 0.03861 58 = 2.240g
2.240
Percentage purity = 100 = 87.2%
2.568

Worked Example
Example 1

Given that: 8Fe + S8 8FeS

(a) What mass of iron is needed to react with 16.0 grams of sulphur?
(b) How many grams of FeS are produced?

Solution:

(a) Relative molecular mass of S8 = 8 32 = 256

16
No. of moles S8 = = 0.0625 mol
256
Molar ratio Fe : S8 = 8 : 1
No. of moles Fe needed = 8 0.0625 = 0.500 mol
Relative atomic mass of Fe = 56
Mass of Fe needed = 0.500 56 = 28.0g

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3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 (b) Molar ratio S8 : FeS = 1 : 8
No. of moles FeS produced = 8 0.0625 = 0.500 mol
Relative formula mass of FeS = 56 + 32 = 88
Mass of FeS produced = 0.500 88 = 44.0g

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Worked Problems
Example 1

Given that a sample of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) contains 5 moles, answer the
following questions.
(a) What is the mass of sulphuric acid in the sample?
(b) How many molecules of sulphuric acid are there in the sample?
(c) How many hydrogen atoms are there in the sample?
(d) How many oxygen atoms are there in the sample?

Solution:

(a) Relative molecular mass of H2SO4 = (2 1) + (1 32) + (4 16) = 98

Mass of H2SO4 in sample = 5 98 = 490g

(b) 1 mol H2SO4 contains 6.023 10 molecules of H2SO4

23

No. of H2SO4 molecules in sample = 5 6.023 10 = 3.01 10

23 24

(c) There are 2 hydrogen atoms in every molecule of H2SO4.

No. of hydrogen atoms in sample = 2 3.01 10 = 6.02 10
24 24

(d) There are 4 oxygen atoms in every molecule of H2SO4.

No. of oxygen atoms in sample = 4 3.01 10 = 1.20 10
24 25

Example 2

Phosphine (PH3) burns in air according to the equation:

PH3 (g) + O2 (g) P4O10 (s) + H2O (g)
(a) Balance the equation.
3
(b) What is the mass of 48dm of phosphine at r.t.p.?
(c) What volume of oxygen at r.t.p. is needed for complete combustion of
3
48dm of phosphine?

Solution:

(a) 4PH3 (g) + 8O2 (g) P4O10 (s) + 6H2O (g)

(b) Molar volume at r.t.p. = 24dm

3

48
No. of moles in 48dm PH3 = = 2 mol
3
24
Relative molecular mass of PH3 = 31 + 3 = 34
Mass of 48dm PH3 = 2 34 = 68g
3

(c) Molar volume at r.t.p. = 24dm

3

Molar ratio PH3 : O2 = 4 : 8 = 1 : 2

Volume of O2 needed = 2 48 = 96dm
3

3-21
3 formulae, stoichiometry and the mole concept
 Example 3

13.0g of zinc granules is reacted with 7.3g of dilute hydrochloric acid.

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
(a) Calculate the number of moles of zinc and dilute hydrochloric acid present.
(b) The reaction stops before all the substances have reacted. Explain why the
reaction stops.
(c) What is the volume of H2 obtained at r.t.p.?

Solution:

(a) Relative atomic mass of Zn = 65

13
No. of moles Zn = = 0.2 mol
65
Relative molecular mass of HCl = 1 + 35.5 = 36.5
7.3
No. of moles HCl = = 0.2 mol
36.5

(b) Molar ratio Zn : HCl = 1 : 2

There is not enough HCl to react with all the zinc. Thus, HCl is the limiting
reactant in this case. When the limiting reactant has reacted completely, the
reaction stops.

(c) Molar ratio HCl : H2 = 2 : 1

0.2
No. of moles H2 = = 0.1 mol
2
Molar volume at r.t.p. = 24dm
3

Volume of H2 obtained = 0.1 24 = 2.4dm

3

3-22
Chemistry Complete Guide themis