Chemical Formulas Explanation
This document provides a detailed explanation of the fundamental chemical formulas
used to calculate various properties of substances, including Number of Moles,
Number of Molecules, Molecular Mass, Mass, and Mass of Each Element.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for quantitative analysis in chemistry.
Molecular Mass
Molecular mass, also known as molecular weight, is the sum of the atomic masses of
all atoms in a molecule. It is typically expressed in atomic mass units (amu) or grams
per mole (g/mol). The concept of molecular mass is fundamental in chemistry as it
allows for the conversion between mass and moles of a substance. To calculate the
molecular mass of a compound, one must know the chemical formula of the
compound and the atomic masses of each element present in the formula.
Formula:
M olecular M ass = ∑(Atomic M ass of each element ×
N umber of atoms of that element)
Example:
Let's consider the molecular mass of water (H₂O). The atomic mass of Hydrogen (H) is
approximately 1.008 amu, and the atomic mass of Oxygen (O) is approximately 15.999
amu. In a water molecule, there are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Therefore, the molecular mass of H₂O is calculated as follows:
M olecular M ass (H₂O) = (2 × Atomic M ass of H) + (1 ×
Atomic M ass of O) M olecular M ass (H₂O) = (2 × 1.008 amu) + (1 ×
15.999 amu) M olecular M ass (H₂O) = 2.016 amu + 15.999 amu
M olecular M ass (H₂O) = 18.015 amu
When expressed in grams per mole, the molecular mass of water is 18.015 g/mol. This
means that one mole of water weighs 18.015 grams. This conversion factor is essential
for many stoichiometric calculations.
Number of Moles
The mole (mol) is the SI unit for amount of substance. It is a fundamental concept in
chemistry that provides a bridge between the atomic and macroscopic worlds. One
mole of any substance contains Avogadro's number of particles (atoms, molecules,
ions, etc.), which is approximately 6.022 x 10²³. The number of moles can be calculated
from the mass of a substance, the number of particles, or the volume of a gas at
standard temperature and pressure (STP).
Formulas:
M ass (g)
1. From Mass: N umber of M oles = M olecular M ass (g/mol)
This formula is used when the mass of the substance is known. The molecular mass
acts as a conversion factor, allowing us to determine how many moles are present in a
given mass.
N umber of P articles
1. From Number of Particles: N umber of M oles = Avogadro′ s N umber
This formula is applied when the number of individual atoms, molecules, or ions is
known. Avogadro's number provides the link between the count of particles and the
mole.
V olume (L) at STP
1. From Volume of Gas at STP: N umber of M oles = M olar V olume at STP
For gases at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP), which is 0°C (273.15 K) and 1
atmosphere (atm) pressure, one mole of any ideal gas occupies a volume of 22.4 liters.
This is known as the molar volume at STP.
Examples:
1. Calculating Moles from Mass: If you have 9.0 grams of water (H₂O), and the
molecular mass of H₂O is 18.015 g/mol: N umber of M oles (H₂O) =
9.0 g
18.015 g/mol
≈ 0.50 mol
2. Calculating Moles from Number of Molecules: If you have 3.011 x 10²³
molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂): N umber of M oles (CO₂) =
3.011×1023 molecules
6.022×1023 molecules/mol
≈ 0.50 mol
3. Calculating Moles from Volume of Gas at STP: If you have 11.2 liters of oxygen
11.2 L
gas (O₂) at STP: N umber of M oles (O₂) = 22.4 L/mol
= 0.50 mol
These calculations demonstrate the versatility of the mole concept in relating different
measurable quantities of a substance.
Number of Molecules
The number of molecules in a given sample of a substance is directly related to the
number of moles present. Avogadro's number (approximately 6.022 x 10²³
particles/mol) serves as the conversion factor between moles and the number of
individual particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.). This relationship is crucial for
understanding the microscopic composition of matter from macroscopic
measurements.
Formula:
N umber of M olecules = N umber of M oles × Avogadro
sˊ N umber
Example:
If you have 0.25 moles of ammonia (NH₃):
N umber of M olecules (N H₃) = 0.25 mol × 6.022 × 1023 molecules/mol
N umber of M olecules (N H₃) = 1.5055 × 1023 molecules
This calculation allows chemists to determine the exact count of molecules, which is
often too large to measure directly, from a more manageable unit like the mole. This is
particularly useful in reactions where the stoichiometry is based on the number of
reacting particles.
Mass
Mass, in the context of chemical calculations, refers to the quantity of matter in a
substance, typically measured in grams (g). It is one of the most common and direct
measurements made in a laboratory. The relationship between mass, moles, and
molecular mass is fundamental to stoichiometry, allowing for conversions between
these quantities.
Formula:
M ass (g) = N umber of M oles × M olecular M ass (g/mol)
This formula is a rearrangement of the formula for calculating the number of moles
from mass. It is used when the number of moles of a substance and its molecular mass
are known, and the goal is to find the total mass of the sample. This is particularly
useful in preparing solutions of a specific concentration or determining the yield of a
chemical reaction.
Example:
Suppose you need to prepare a solution that requires 0.1 moles of sodium hydroxide
(NaOH). The molecular mass of NaOH is 40.00 g/mol. To find out how many grams of
NaOH you need to weigh out:
M ass (N aOH) = 0.1 mol × 40.00 g/mol M ass (N aOH) = 4.00 g
This calculation directly tells you the mass required for a specific molar quantity,
which is a common task in chemical synthesis and analysis. The precision of this
measurement is critical for the accuracy of subsequent experiments.
Mass of Each Element
Determining the mass of each individual element within a compound is crucial for
understanding its elemental composition and for various analytical applications, such
as elemental analysis or determining empirical and molecular formulas. This
calculation relies on the proportion of each element's atomic mass to the total
molecular mass of the compound, multiplied by the total mass of the sample.
Formula:
M ass of Each Element = ( Atomic M assMofolecular
Element×N umber of Atoms of Element
M ass of Compound
)×
T otal M ass of Compound
This formula essentially calculates the mass percentage of a specific element in the
compound and then applies that percentage to the total mass of the compound to find
the absolute mass contributed by that element.
Example:
Let's calculate the mass of carbon (C) and oxygen (O) in 4.4 grams of carbon dioxide
(CO₂). The atomic mass of Carbon (C) is 12.011 amu, and Oxygen (O) is 15.999 amu. The
molecular mass of CO₂ is 44.009 g/mol.
For Carbon (C): M ass of C = ( 12.011 amu×1
44.009 amu
) × 4.4 g M ass of C ≈ 1.20 g
For Oxygen (O): M ass of O = ( 15.999 amu×2
44.009 amu
) × 4.4 g M ass of O ≈ 3.20 g
These calculations allow for a detailed breakdown of the composition of a given
sample, providing insights into the quantities of each constituent element. This is
particularly useful in quality control, forensic analysis, and research where precise
elemental composition is required.
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
H: 0.5000g, O:
1 H2O 18.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 4.5000
4.0000g
H: 6.0000g, S:
2 H2S 34.0000 3.0000e+00 1.8066e+24 102.0000
96.0000g
Na: 23.0000g,
3 Na2O2 78.0000 5.0000e-01 3.0110e+23 39.0000
O: 16.0000g
N: 0.2800g, H:
4 NH4OH 35.0000 2.0000e-02 1.2044e+22 0.7000 0.1000g, O:
0.3200g
H: 0.1000g, N:
5 HNO3 63.0000 1.0000e-01 6.0220e+22 6.3000 1.4000g, O:
4.8000g
Na: 11.4962g,
6 Na2SO3 126.0000 2.4992e-01 1.5050e+23 31.4895 S: 7.9973g, O:
11.9960g
H: 0.6000g, P:
7 H3PO4 98.0000 2.0000e-01 1.2044e+23 19.6000 6.2000g, O:
12.8000g
K: 1.9500g, Mn:
8 KMnO4 158.0000 5.0000e-02 3.0110e+22 7.9000 2.7500g, O:
3.2000g
Na: 6.9000g, O:
9 NaOH 40.0000 3.0000e-01 1.8066e+23 12.0000 4.8000g, H:
0.3000g
C: 1.2000g, O:
10 CO2 44.0000 1.0000e-01 6.0220e+22 4.4000
3.2000g
O: 4.8000g, H:
11 Ca(OH)2 74.0000 1.5000e-01 9.0330e+22 11.1000 0.3000g, Ca:
6.0000g
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
S: 6.3979g, O:
12 SO3 80.0000 1.9993e-01 1.2040e+23 15.9947
9.5968g
H: 0.8000g, S:
13 H2S 34.0000 4.0000e-01 2.4088e+23 13.6000
12.8000g
N: 2.8000g, H:
0.9000g, P:
14 (NH4)2HPO4 132.0000 1.0000e-01 6.0220e+22 13.2000
3.1000g, O:
6.4000g
H: 0.1000g, S:
15 H2SO4 98.0000 5.0000e-02 3.0110e+22 4.9000 1.6000g, O:
3.2000g
N: 0.7000g, H:
16 NH3 17.0000 5.0000e-02 3.0110e+22 0.8500
0.1500g
K: 1.1700g, P:
17 K3PO4 212.0000 1.0000e-02 6.0220e+21 2.1200 0.3100g, O:
0.6400g
K: 3.8987g, O:
18 KOH 56.0000 9.9967e-02 6.0200e+22 5.5981 1.5995g, H:
0.1000g
N: 1.1200g, O:
19 N2O5 108.0000 4.0000e-02 2.4088e+22 4.3200
3.2000g
H: 0.4000g, Cl:
20 HCl 36.5000 4.0000e-01 2.4088e+23 14.6000
14.2000g
P: 15.5000g, O:
21 P2O5 142.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 35.5000
20.0000g
H: 4.4985g, P:
22 H3PO4 98.0000 1.4995e+00 9.0300e+23 146.9512 46.4846g, O:
95.9681g
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
Na: 23.0000g,
23 Na2CO3 106.0000 5.0000e-01 3.0110e+23 53.0000 C: 6.0000g, O:
24.0000g
O: 0.8434g, H:
0.0264g, Al:
24 Al(OH)3NO3 140.0000 8.7857e-03 5.2908e+21 1.2300
0.2372g, N:
0.1230g
Al: 3.3750g, P:
25 AlPO4 122.0000 1.2500e-01 7.5275e+22 15.2500 3.8750g, O:
8.0000g
P: 7.7500g, H:
26 PH3 34.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 8.5000
0.7500g
P: 24.8000g, O:
27 Ca3(PO4)2 310.0000 4.0000e-01 2.4088e+23 124.0000 51.2000g, Ca:
48.0000g
H: 0.9997g, C:
11.9960g, O:
28 Ca(HCO3)2 162.0000 4.9983e-01 3.0100e+23 80.9731
47.9841g, Ca:
19.9934g
H: 0.2000g, C:
29 HCOOH 46.0000 1.0000e-01 6.0220e+22 4.6000 1.2000g, O:
3.2000g
S: 9.6490g, O:
30 Cr2(SO4)3 392.0000 1.0051e-01 6.0527e+22 39.4000 19.2980g, Cr:
10.4531g
C: 6.0000g, H:
31 CH3COOH 60.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 15.0000 1.0000g, O:
8.0000g
C: 4.8000g, H:
32 C2H2 26.0000 2.0000e-01 1.2044e+23 5.2000
0.4000g
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
Mg: 12.0000g,
33 MgSO4 120.0000 5.0000e-01 3.0110e+23 60.0000 S: 16.0000g, O:
32.0000g
K: 11.6961g, H:
0.2999g, C:
34 KHCO3 100.0000 2.9990e-01 1.8060e+23 29.9900
3.5988g, O:
14.3952g
C: 1.2000g, H:
35 C2H6 30.0000 5.0000e-02 3.0110e+22 1.5000
0.3000g
H: 1.0000g, O:
36 H2O 18.0000 5.0000e-01 3.0110e+23 9.0000
8.0000g
C: 5.4000g, H:
37 C3H8 44.0000 1.5000e-01 9.0330e+22 6.6000
1.2000g
Na: 11.5000g,
38 Na2O2 78.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 19.5000
O: 8.0000g
C: 7.2000g, H:
39 C2H4 28.0000 3.0000e-01 1.8066e+23 8.4000
1.2000g
C: 12.0000g, H:
40 C4H10 58.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 14.5000
2.5000g
C: 21.5928g, H:
41 C6H6 78.0000 2.9990e-01 1.8060e+23 23.3922
1.7994g
H: 0.0150g, N:
42 HNO3 63.0000 1.5000e-02 9.0330e+21 0.9450 0.2100g, O:
0.7200g
C: 36.0000g, H:
43 C6H6 78.0000 5.0000e-01 3.0110e+23 39.0000
3.0000g
C: 7.2000g, H:
44 C4H10 58.0000 1.5000e-01 9.0330e+22 8.7000
1.5000g
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
H: 0.7500g, P:
45 H3PO4 98.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 24.5000 7.7500g, O:
16.0000g
C: 0.4800g, H:
46 C2H4O2 60.0000 2.0000e-02 1.2044e+22 1.2000 0.0800g, O:
0.6400g
O: 8.0000g, H:
47 Ca(OH)2 74.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 18.5000 0.5000g, Ca:
10.0000g
Al: 26.9910g, S:
48 Al2S3 150.0000 4.9983e-01 3.0100e+23 74.9751
47.9841g
C: 0.3600g, H:
49 C2H5OH 46.0000 1.5000e-02 9.0330e+21 0.6900 0.0900g, O:
0.2400g
Na: 3.4500g, O:
50 NaOH 40.0000 1.5000e-01 9.0330e+22 6.0000 2.4000g, H:
0.1500g
S: 4.0000g, O:
51 SO2 64.0000 1.2500e-01 7.5275e+22 8.0000
4.0000g
N: 11.2000g, O:
52 N2O 44.0000 4.0000e-01 2.4088e+23 17.6000
6.4000g
H: 0.0400g, S:
53 H2S 34.0000 2.0000e-02 1.2044e+22 0.6800
0.6400g
N: 6.9977g, H:
54 N2H4 32.0000 2.4992e-01 1.5050e+23 7.9973
0.9997g
Al: 5.4000g, S:
55 Al2S3 150.0000 1.0000e-01 6.0220e+22 15.0000
9.6000g
56 K2PO4 173.0000 3.0636e-01 1.8449e+23 53.0000 K: 23.8960g, P:
9.4971g, O:
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
19.6069g
Li: 0.4200g, S:
57 Li2S 46.0000 3.0000e-02 1.8066e+22 1.3800
0.9600g
N: 0.3500g, O:
58 NO2 46.0000 2.5000e-02 1.5055e+22 1.1500
0.8000g
N: 4.2000g, O:
59 N2O5 108.0000 1.5000e-01 9.0330e+22 16.2000
12.0000g
N: 3.3600g, H:
60 N2H4 32.0000 1.2000e-01 7.2264e+22 3.8400
0.4800g
Na: 68.9771g,
61 Na2CO3 106.0000 1.4995e+00 9.0300e+23 158.9472 C: 17.9940g, O:
71.9761g
P: 14.4085g, O:
62 P2O5 142.0000 2.3239e-01 1.3995e+23 33.0000
18.5915g
P: 15.5000g, O:
63 Mg3(PO4)2 262.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 65.5000 32.0000g, Mg:
18.0000g
Na: 18.4000g,
64 Na2CO3 106.0000 4.0000e-01 2.4088e+23 42.4000 C: 4.8000g, O:
19.2000g
C: 0.2400g, O:
65 CO 28.0000 2.0000e-02 1.2044e+22 0.5600
0.3200g
P: 31.0000g, O:
66 Ba3(PO4)2 601.0000 5.0000e-01 3.0110e+23 300.5000 64.0000g, Ba:
205.5000g
Al: 1.3500g, P:
67 AlPO4 122.0000 5.0000e-02 3.0110e+22 6.1000 1.5500g, O:
3.2000g
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
N: 0.2800g, H:
68 NH3 17.0000 2.0000e-02 1.2044e+22 0.3400
0.0600g
C: 2.3992g, H:
69 C2H5OH 46.0000 9.9967e-02 6.0200e+22 4.5985 0.5998g, O:
1.5995g
P: 1.8600g, O:
70 Ca3(PO4)2 310.0000 3.0000e-02 1.8066e+22 9.3000 3.8400g, Ca:
3.6000g
N: 0.1400g, H:
71 NH4OH 35.0000 1.0000e-02 6.0220e+21 0.3500 0.0500g, O:
0.1600g
H: 0.5000g, C:
72 HCOOH 46.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 11.5000 3.0000g, O:
8.0000g
C: 14.4000g, H:
73 CH3COOH 60.0000 6.0000e-01 3.6132e+23 36.0000 2.4000g, O:
19.2000g
Na: 27.5908g,
74 Na3PO4 164.0000 3.9987e-01 2.4080e+23 65.5782 P: 12.3959g, O:
25.5915g
Mg: 0.2400g, S:
75 MgSO4 120.0000 1.0000e-02 6.0220e+21 1.2000 0.3200g, O:
0.6400g
N: 0.1400g, O:
76 NO 30.0000 1.0000e-02 6.0220e+21 0.3000
0.1600g
C: 2.4000g, H:
77 C2H6 30.0000 1.0000e-01 6.0220e+22 3.0000
0.6000g
C: 5.4000g, H:
78 C3H8 44.0000 1.5000e-01 9.0330e+22 6.6000
1.2000g
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
N: 4.1986g, H:
79 N2H4 32.0000 1.4995e-01 9.0300e+22 4.7984
0.5998g
C: 2.4000g, H:
80 C4H10 58.0000 5.0000e-02 3.0110e+22 2.9000
0.5000g
81 N2 28.0000 5.0000e-03 3.0110e+21 0.1400 N: 0.1400g
C: 18.0000g, H:
82 C6H6 78.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 19.5000
1.5000g
Li: 0.6998g, S:
83 Li2S 46.0000 4.9983e-02 3.0100e+22 2.2992
1.5995g
C: 2.4000g, H:
84 C2H4O2 60.0000 1.0000e-01 6.0220e+22 6.0000 0.4000g, O:
3.2000g
C: 1.2000g, H:
85 C2H5OH 46.0000 5.0000e-02 3.0110e+22 2.3000 0.3000g, O:
0.8000g
N: 14.0000g, O:
86 N2O 44.0000 5.0000e-01 3.0110e+23 22.0000
8.0000g
Al: 13.5000g, S:
87 Al2S3 150.0000 2.5000e-01 1.5055e+23 37.5000
24.0000g
Li: 0.2800g, S:
88 Li2S 46.0000 2.0000e-02 1.2044e+22 0.9200
0.6400g
N: 11.2000g, H:
89 N2H4 32.0000 4.0000e-01 2.4088e+23 12.8000
1.6000g
P: 1.8600g, O:
90 Mg3(PO4)2 262.0000 3.0000e-02 1.8066e+22 7.8600 3.8400g, Mg:
2.1600g
Molecular
Number of Number of Mass of Each
ID Formula Mass Mass (g)
Moles (mol) Molecules Element (g)
(g/mol)
P: 3.1000g, O:
91 Ba3(PO4)2 601.0000 5.0000e-02 3.0110e+22 30.0500 6.4000g, Ba:
20.5500g
N: 5.6000g, H:
92 NH3 17.0000 4.0000e-01 2.4088e+23 6.8000
1.2000g
