Topic 1.

3 - Formulae, equations and

amounts of substance
Lesson 1 - The basics

a.demonstrate an understanding of the terms atom,

element, ion, molecule, compound, empirical and
molecular formulae
b.
write balanced equations (full and ionic) for
simple reactions, including the use of state symbols
c.demonstrate an understanding of the terms relative
atomic mass, amount of substance, molar mass and
parts per million (ppm), eg gases in the atmosphere,
exhausts, water pollution
Connector:
1. Define an atom, a compound and an ion.
2. Draw a lithium atom ( At. No. 3; At. Mass 7)
3. List the THREE main sub-atomic particles, and give
their relative masses and electrical charges.
Crowe 2011

An atom is the smallest, electrically neutral, particle

of an element that can take part in a chemical change.
A molecule is the smallest, electrically neutral,
particle of an element or compound that can exist on
its own.
An ion is an atom, or group of atoms, which carries
an electric charge.

Lithium Atom
A Lithium has 3 protons and 4 neutrons inside the nucleus with
3 electrons orbiting around the nucleus.

Write the word equation and then the balanced equation,

including state symbols for the following reactions:
1. Hydrogen and oxygen combining to form water.
2. Calcium carbonate decomposing into calcium oxide
and carbon dioxide.
3. Hydrochloric acid reacting with magnesium to produce
hydrogen gas and a solution of magnesium chloride.
4. Sulphuric acid being neutralised by sodium hydroxide
to give a solution of sodium sulphate.
5. Zinc oxide reacting with sulphuric acid to give a
solution of zinc sulphate.
6. Aluminium combining with oxygen to form its oxide.
7. Methane under going complete combustion.

Relative atomic mass & molar mass

Explain these terms.

RAMS

&

MOLES

Relative atomic mass

The definition of Relative Atomic Mass (Ar):
The mass of a single atom on a scale on which the mass of an atom
of carbon12 has a mass of 12 atomic mass units.

12 hydrogen atoms have the

same mass as 1 carbon atom
The relative atomic mass does not have units.

Relative Atomic Mass of

elements
The atoms of each element have a different mass.
Carbon is given a relative atomic mass (RAM) of 12.
The RAM of other atoms compares them with carbon.
Eg. Hydrogen has a mass of only one twelfth that of carbon and so
has a RAM of 1.
Below are the RAMs of some other elements.

Element

Symbol

Times as heavy as
carbon

Helium

He

one third

Beryllium

Be

three quarters

Molybdenu
m

Mo

Eight

Krypton

Kr

Seven

Oxygen

One and one third

Silver

Ag

Nine

Calcium

Ca

Three and one third

R.A.M
4
9
96
84
16
108
40

Molar mass or Moles

The mole is the formula mass in gs
of an atom, molecule, or
compound.
Example: Water
H2O = (2xH)+(O) =
(2x1)+16 = 18
So water has a molar
mass of 18g
or
1 mole of water weighs
18g

Formula Mass
Calculate the formula mass of the compounds
below.
(N=14; H=1; Na=23; O=16; Mg=24;
Substance
Formula Formula Mass
Ca=40)
Ammonia
Sodium oxide

NH3
Na2O

Magnesium
hydroxide

Mg(OH)2

Calcium nitrate

Ca(NO3)2

14 + (3x1)=17
(2x23) + 16 =62
24+ 2(16+1)=58
40+ 2(14+(3x16))=164

What is the relationship between molar mass

and formula mass?
Molar mass if the formula mass in g

Calculating
Moles

The number of moles present

in a weighed sample can be
calculated using this
equation:
Number of moles = mass
R.A.M.
Similarly
mass = moles x

1. How many moles are there in

R.A.M.

2. What is the mass of

a. 4.4g of carbon dioxide?

a. 3 moles of hydrogen gas?

b. 80g of methane?

b. 0.5 mole of copper(II) oxide?

c. 14.2g of chlorine?

c. 4 moles of sodium chloride?

d. 128g of sulphur?

d. 0.3 mole of ethene?

e. 1kg of calcium carbonate?

e. 0.25 mole helium?

Percentage Composition
% Z = (Number of atoms of Z) x (atomic Mass of Z)
Formula Mass of the compound

Calculate the percentage of oxygen in carbon dioxide

CO2

12 +(2x16)=44
2 x 16 / 44 = 72.7%

parts per million (ppm)

This is a way of expressing very dilute
concentrations of substances e.g gases in the
atmosphere or in exhaust fumes, pollutants in
a river, etc.
Just as per cent means out of a hundred,
so
parts per million, or ppm, means out of a
Convert 0.025% into ppm
million.
0.025

100

?
1000000

1000000 x 0.025 = ? = 250ppm

100

Convert 0.19g/litre into ppm

0.19 =
1000

?
1000000

1000000 x 0.19 = ? = 190ppm

1000

Past paper questions

In 2006, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was
382 ppm. This is equivalent to
382
1000000

x
100

A halogenoalkane, bromomethane, CH3Br, is a toxic gas used to

protect plants against insects. Health and Safety advice states that
concentrations above 5 parts per million (ppm) by volume of this gas
are harmful.
A research laboratory contains 2.5 105 dm3 of air.
Calculate the maximum volume of bromomethane, in dm3, allowed in
the laboratory to comply with the advice given.
Jan 09

Exercise 1: Calculation of the Molar Mass of compounds

MFE Booklet pp 6-8