The Mole Concept

Atoms are extremely small entities and it would be silly to measure the masses of
atoms in conventional mass units like grams. Instead, their masses are compared
with the mass of an atom of the carbon-12 atom, taken as a standard. We call this
the carbon-12 scale. On this scale one atom of the carbon-12 isotope weighs
exactly 12.00 units.

The basic unit on this scale is therefore 1/12 of the mass of a 12C atom, which is
1 a.m.u. One a.m.u is 1.66 10-24 g. The masses of atoms or compounds are
measured relative to 1 a.m.u. The relative atomic mass of an element, Ar, is simply
a number that is used to compare the masses of different atoms. It has no unit.

Many elements are made of isotopes. Hence, the relative atomic mass is in fact
the weighted average masses of the isotopes of the element. For example, the
relative atomic mass of carbon is 12.011. The isotopes of carbon are carbon-12
(98.89 %), carbon-13 (1.10 %) and carbon-14 (0.01 %). Its relative atomic mass can
be calculated as follows:

Ar = (98.89 12) + (1.10 13) + (0.01 14) = 12.011

100
Definition: The relative atomic mass of an element is the weighted
average of the masses of the isotopes compared to 1/12th of the mass of
a carbon-12 atom. It is given the symbol Ar.

Question:

Calculate the relative atomic mass of neon from the following data:

Neon-20 90%

Neon-21 1%

Neon-22 9%
Relative Molecular Mass

Definition: The average mass of one molecule of a compound compared to

1/12th of the mass of one atom of carbon-12. It is given the symbol Mr with
no units.

It is more applicable for calculations involving both ionic and covalent

compounds. However, the term relative formula mass is preferred when referring
to ionic compounds and relative molecular mass for molecules.

The relative molecular or formula mass is calculated by adding up the relative

atomic masses of the atoms in a molecule or compound.

Examples:

CO2 = 12 + (16 2) = 44

H2O = (1 2) + 16 = 18

Questions:

CaCO3

(NH4)2SO4

CuSO4 5H2O

Relative atomic masses: C = 12, H = 1, O = 16, Ca = 40, Cu = 64, N = 14, S = 32

% Mass of an Element in a Compound

Examples:

% by mass of C in CO2 = 12/44 100 = 27.3 %

% by mass of H in H2O = 2/18 100 = 11.1 %

Questions:

% by mass of Cu in CuSO4 5H2O

% by mass of N in (NH4)2SO4

% by mass of Ca in CaCO3
 The Mole

A mole is the amount of a substance that contains 6.02 1023

particles of the substance.

The mass in grams of 1 mole of a substance is called its molar mass.

1 mole of a substance has 6.02 1023 particles of the substance.
The mass of 1 mole of a substance is always equal to its
relative atomic or molecular mass in grams.

Examples:
1. 1 mole of H atoms weighs 1 g and has 6.02 1023 atoms.
2. 1 mole of O2 molecules weighs 16 2 = 32 g and has 6.02 1023
molecules.
3. 1 mole of CuSO4 5 H2O weighs 250 g and has 6.02 1023 formula units.
4. 1 mole of fluorine atoms weighs 19 g and has 6.02 1023 atoms.

To convert moles to mass and vice-versa, one may apply the

formula:

Mass of Substance (g) = Number of Moles of Substance (mol) Molar Mass of Substance (gmol-1)
(sustanceofsubstance

mass

molar
moles
mass

Question & Answer:

What is the difference between molar mass and relative mass?

Molar Mass: The mass of one mole of a substance in gmol-1.

Relative Mass: The average mass of one atom, molecule or formula

unit of a substance compared to 1/12th the mass of an atom of C-12.
 To convert moles to number of particles and vice-versa, one may
apply the formula:

Number of Particles = Moles of Particles Avogadros Number (L)

particles

moles L

L: 6.02 1023

The Relationship between Mass, Moles and Particles

Molar Mass of Substance L

Mass Moles Particles

Molar Mass of Substance L

Determining the Empirical and Molecular Formulae of a
Compound
The empirical formula shows the simplest whole number ratio of the
different types of atoms in a compound.
The molecular formula shows the actual number of each type of atom in a
compound.
The molecular formula is the integral multiple of the empirical formula.

Molecular Formula = n (Empirical Formula)

Example 1

A sample of iron sulfide contains 5.373 g iron and 4.627 g sulfur. What is the
empirical formula of the compound?

Fe S
Given mass 5.373 g 4.627 g
Relative atomic mass 56 32
Number of moles = given 5.373/56 = 0.0959 4.627/32 = 0.145
mass/ Ar
Divide by smallest 0.0959/0.0959 = 1 0.145/0.0959 = 1.51
number
Simplest ratio = 2 2 3
Empirical formula of
compound :
Fe2S3
Example 2

An anaesthetic compound is found to contain the elements carbon, hydrogen and

chlorine. The percentage by mass of these elements are, C: 10.04 %; H: 0.84 %;
Cl: 89.12 %. One mole of the compound has a mass of 120 g. Calculate its
molecular formula.

C H Cl
Mass per 100 g of 10.04 g 0.84 g 89.12 g
sample
Relative atomic 12 1 35.5
mass
Number of moles = 10.04/12 = 0.84 0.84/1 = 0.84 89.12/35.5 =
given mass/ Ar 2.51
Divide by smallest 0.84/0.84 = 1 0.84/0.84 = 1 2.51/0.84
number
Simplest ratio 1 1 3
Empirical formula
of compound :
CHCl3

Let the molecular formula be (CHCl3)n

n (12 + 1 + 3 35.5) = 120

n(119.5) = 120

n = 120/119.5

n=1

Molecular formula is also CHCl3

For Advanced Level Students Only

Example 3

A hydrocarbon X has a relative molecular mass of 56. Complete combustion of

0.1 g of X gave 0.316 g of CO2 and 0.128 g of H2O. Calculate the empirical and
molecular formula of X.

Find mass of C and H in 0.1 g of X

44 g CO2 contains 12 g C

0.316 g CO2 contains 12 0.316 44 = 0.086 g C

18 g H2O contains 2 g H

0.128 g H2O contains 2 0.128 18 = 0.014 g H

C H
Mass of element/ g 0.086 0.014
Number of moles 0.086/12 = 0.0072 0.014/1 = 0.014
Mole ratio 0.0072/0.0072 = 1 0.014/0.0072 = 2
Empirical formula of X:
CH2

Let the molecular formula be (CH2)n

n (12 + 2) = 56

14n = 56

n=4

Molecular formula of X is C4H8

Questions

1. In an experiment to determine the empirical and molecular formula of a

hydrocarbon, A, the hydrocarbon is completely burnt in excess oxygen and
the products collected. A, gave 3.52 g of CO2 and 1.62 g of H2O, on
complete combustion. The molar mass of A is 114 g mol-1.

2. Combustion analysis of 0.18 g of an organic compound which contains the

elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen produced 0.396 g of CO2 and 0.216
g of H2O. Find the empirical formula of the compound.

3. A chemist is given 1.08 g of a compound labeled X, and is asked to

determine the empirical and molecular formula. Analysis by mass
spectrometry gives a relative molecular mass of 108. Elemental analysis
shows that compound X contains carbon, hydrogen and one other element.
Among the products obtained when X is burnt completely in oxygen are
1340 cm3 of CO2 and 448 cm3 of NO2.
[Volumes of gases are measured at s.t.p]

Avogadros Law

Equal volumes of all gases at the same temperature and pressure contain
the same number of molecules.

This means that once the pressure and temperature are fixed, then the volume of
a gas depends on the number of gas molecules present.

Vn
Two sets of conditions are often used to compare one gas with another:

Standard Temperature and Pressure, S.T.P

The standard conditions for gases are 273 K (0 C) and one

atmosphere. Under these conditions, one mole of any gas has a
volume of 22.4 dm3 (22400 cm3). This is called the molar volume of
the gas at S.T.P.

Room Temperature (25 C) and Pressure (one atmosphere), R.T.P

The volume of one mole of gas is larger at room temperature and

pressure than at S.T.P. At room temperature and pressure, the
volume of one mole of any gas is 24 dm3 (24000 cm3). This is called
the molar volume of the gas at R.T.P.

Formula involving gases:

Volume of Gas = Number of Moles of Gas Molar Volume

particles
Volume

Molar
moles L
Volume

Molar Volume

Moles Volume of gas

Molar Volume
For Advanced Level Students Only!

Application of Avogadros Law

According to Avogadros Law, the number of molecules or moles of

gaseous reactants or products can be replaced by volumes in an
equation.
By measuring the volumes of reactants and products in an equation,
the number of molecules taking part or produced can be determined
The formula of an unknown compound and the equation for the
reaction can be determined.

Example 1

What volume of carbon dioxide is produced when 100 cm3 of propane is

completely burnt in oxygen? All volumes are measured at the same temperature
and pressure.

C3H8 (g) + 5O2 (g) 3CO2 (g) + 4H2O (l)

From the equation:

1 mole of propane produces 3 moles of carbon dioxide

Using Avogadros Law,

1 volume of propane produces 3 volumes of carbon dioxide

Thus 100 cm3 of propane produces 300 cm3 of carbon dioxide at the same
temperature and pressure

Example 2

10 cm3 of an unknown hydrocarbon, CxHy, required 60 cm3 of oxygen for complete

combustion. 40 cm3 of carbon dioxide was produced. Find the formula of the
unknown hydrocarbon and write the equation for the reaction. All volumes were
measured at the same temperature and pressure.
Using Avogadros Law

10 vols of CxHy require 60 vols of oxygen to produce 40 vols of carbon dioxide

Therefore 1 mole of CxHy requires 6 moles of oxygen to produce 4 moles of

carbon dioxide.

CxHy + 6O2 4CO2 + yH2O

The number of hydrogen atoms can be calculated indirectly from the number of
oxygen atoms.

CxHy + 6O2 4CO2 + 4H2O

From the balanced equation, x = 4 and y = 8

Formula of hydrocarbon: C4H8

Questions

1. 20 cm3 of an unknown hydrocarbon needed 120 cm3 of oxygen for

complete combustion. 80 cm3 of CO2 was produced. All volumes were
measured at room temperature and pressure. Find the formula of the
hydrocarbon.
2. 10 cm3 of an unknown hydrocarbon was sparked with 90 cm3 of oxygen (an
excess). When the resulting gases were cooled back to the original room
temperature, they had a volume of 70 cm3. Exposure of the gases to
sodium hydroxide solution reduced the volume to 40 cm3. Find the formula
of the hydrocarbon.

Calculations Involving Chemical Equations

Law of Conservation of Matter:

The law of conservation of matter states that matter can neither be created nor
destroyed during a chemical reaction.

In other words, the law says that in chemical reactions, the mass of the products
is equal to the mass of the reactants.

Calculations from chemical equations involve five main steps, though not all the
steps are required in each calculation.
The steps are as follows:

Work out the number of moles of the known substance.

Construct the balanced chemical equation.
Write down the mole ratios of the substance(s) to be found from the
equations.
Calculate the number of moles of the substance to be found.
Work out the mass or volume or concentration of the substance to be
found.

Example

1. Calculate the volume of carbon dioxide produced from the combustion

of 2.4 dm3 of propane. One mole of gas occupies 24 dm3 at r.t.p.

Step 1: No. of moles of propane

2.4 dm3/24 dm3 mol-1 = 0.1 moles

Step 2: Balanced chemical equation

C3H8 (g) + 5O2 (g) 3CO2 (g) + 4H2O (l)

Step 3: Mole ratio of substances

1 mole C3H8 : 3 mole CO2

Step 4: Moles of substance to be found

0.1 moles C3H8 given, hence 0.1 3 = 0.3 moles CO2 formed

Step 5: Volume of CO2 produced

0.3 24 = 7.2 dm3

 Electrolysis Calculations
In any electrolysis calculation we may know:

The amount (in moles) or mass of product formed.

The charge on the ions involved.
The amount of electric charge used.

If any two of these are known, the other can be found.

Calculations from electrolysis basically involve five main steps, although fewer steps
could be used.

The steps are as follows:

Determine the quantity of charge passing through the electrolyte.
Convert charge to moles of electrons.
Write a balanced ionic half equation for the reaction.
Determine number of moles of product produced from the half
equation.
Convert moles of product to mass or volume.

Two useful equations are:

Electric charge (C) = current (A) time (s)

Q = I t

Electric charge (C) = Moles of electrons (mol) Faradays constant (C/mol)

Example calculation:

In the electrolysis of molten lead (II) bromide, what mass of lead is formed at the
cathode when a current of 0.1 A flows for 965 s?

Amount of electric charge used = 1.0 965 = 965 C

Moles of electrons transferred = 965/96500 = 0.01 moles
Reaction at the cathode = Pb2+(l) + 2e- Pb (s)
Moles of lead formed at cathode -
2 moles of e = 1 mole Pb
0.01moles of e- = 0.005 moles of Pb
Mass of Pb formed at cathode = 0.005 207 = 1.035 g.