IGCSE Chemistry Principles in Chemistry Part II

Relative Formula Masses and Molar Volumes of Gases

The relative formula mass of a compound can be found by adding up all of the individual atoms in the formula. The percentage of an element in a compound in term of its mass is important, and can also find the formula of an unknown compound. What is the percentage by mass of oxygen in sodium nitrate, NaNO3? Relative formula mass = 23 + 14 + 3 x 16 = 85 Total relative mass of oxygen = 3 x16 = 48 Oxygen therefore accounts for 48/85 of the total mass, so: Percentage of oxygen by mass = 56.5% (3 s.f.) The element in question may appear in more than one place in the formula. e.g. What is the percentage by mass of oxygen in hydrated copper(II) sulphate, CuSO4.5H2O? Relative formula mass = 64 + 32 + 4 x 16 + 5 x (2 x 1 + 16) = 250 Total relative mass of oxygen = 9 x 16 (there are 9 O atoms in total) = 144 Percentage by mass = 144/250 x 100% = 57.6%
The Mole
48 = 85 x 100%

The mole is an amount of a substance. It is equal to 6.02x1023, which is also known as Avogadro s number. 2 moles of AlCl3 contains 2 moles of Al3+ ions, but 6 moles of Clions. Moles also equal the amount of a substance. Moles = mass/relative formula mass.

Calculations Reacting Masses

e.g. What mass of oxygen is needed to burn 3.00kg of propane, C3H8? Mr of propane = 3 x 12 + 8 x 1 = 44 1. Calculate the number of moles of propane given in the question. 2. Write a balanced equation for the chemical reaction.
moles= mass relative formula mass
= 3000g 44g

= 68.2 mol of C3H8

C3H8 + 5O2

3CO2 + 4H2O

3. Use the ratio given by the balancing numbers in the equation to find the number of moles of O2 required to react with the C3H8. 4. Convert the moles of oxygen back into a mass. Mass of O2 = 10.9 kg (3 s.f.)
Gas Volumes

1 mol of C3H8 : 5 moles O2 68.2 x 5 = 341 so 68.2 mol C3H8 : 341 mol O2

mass = moles x Mr

= 341 x 32

= 10,900g

At room temperature and pressure one mole of a gas has the same volume 24dm3.
volume of gas (dm 3 ) volume of gas (cm 3 ) 24 24000 Moles of gas = or Solution Calculations

A concentration of 1mol/dm3 means that 1 mol of the substance is dissolved in each dm3 of water. Concentration (mol / g dm-3) =
amount (mol)/grams(g) volume (dm3 )

Chemical Formulae and Chemical Equations

The formula of a compound tells us the number of each type of atom in a molecule. The formula of sulphuric acid is H2SO4. This tells us that there are two moles of hydrogen, one mole of sulphur and four moles of oxygen. For ionic compounds, the formula can be worked out by making sure the total charge equals zero. The valency can also be used. The valency represents the total numbers of covalent bonds an atom can form, or the charge on an ion. Valencies can be worked out by using the periodic table: Group I II III IV V VI VII O Valency 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 0 The valencies of some elements in some compounds are given in the name in roman numerals, in brackets. For example: Iron (III) Chloride. The valencies of some compounds and elements must be learned: Name Formula Valency Hydrogen H2+ 1 Zinc Zn 2 Nitrate NO3 1 Hydroxide OH 1 Carbonate CO3 2 Sulphate SO4 2

Ammonium (forms positive ion) NH4 1 Diatomic elements are hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and the halogens.
Empirical Formulae

The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound. e.g. 2.88g of magnesium is heated in nitrogen, and forms 4.00g of magnesium nitride. Find the empirical formula of magnesium nitride. Mass of nitrogen = 4.00 - 2.88 = 1.12g Write the mass, or percentage by mass, of each element. Divide each mass (or percentage) by the relative atomic mass of the element, to convert to moles. Simplify this mole ratio by dividing each number by the smallest. If this does not give whole number, multiply each by an appropriate figure in this case, the values are doubled. Mg 2.88g
2.88 24

N 1.12g
1.12 14

=0.120mol
0.120 = 1.50 0.0800

=0.0800mol
0.0800 = 1.00 0.0800

1.50 x 2 = 3.00

1.00 x 2 = 2.00

Having arrived at a whole-number ratio, state the ratio as a formula: Empirical formula = Mg3N2
Molecular Formula

This is the actual number of each type of atom in one molecule of a molecular substance. This must be a whole number multiple of the empirical formula, which means the relative molecular mass must be a whole number multiple of the empirical formula mass. A compound has the empirical formula CH2O, and a relative molecular mass of 120. What is its molecular formula? Relative mass of CH2O = 12 + 2 x 1 + 16 = 30 120 / 30 = 4, so there must be 4 lots of CH2O in the molecule to give the mass of 120 Therefore molecular formula must be C4H8O4
Percentage Yield

Percentage yield = actual yield/theoretical maximum yield x 100% The percentage yield may not be 100% for several reasons. The reaction may not be complete, there may be other side reactions occurring, or the product cannot be fully separated.