Chemical Formulae,

Equations and
Calculations
- Part I
HANDOUT I
Two Types of Equations
Word Equation Symbol Equation
An equation represented by Also knowns as Chemical Equation.
using words and signs.
It is the symbolic representation of
a chemical reaction where the
reactants are written on left side
and products are given on the
right side using symbols and signs.

All chemical equations must be

balanced.
 Balancing Equation
1.Write chemical formula of substances on both sides
of equation.
Count the number of atoms on both sides of
equation.
Reactant Element Products
2 Al 2
3 O 1
2 H 2
1 SO4 3
 Balancing Equation
2. Balance the numbers on both sides and rewrite
balanced equation.
Al2O3 + H2SO4 -> Al2 (SO4)3 + 3H2O
Reactant Element Products
2 Al 2
3 O 3
2 H 5
1 SO4 3
 Balancing Equation
2. Balance the numbers on both sides and rewrite
balanced equation.
Al2O3 + 3H2SO4 -> Al2 (SO4)3 + 3H2O
Reactant Element Products
2 Al 2
3 O 3
5 H 5
3 SO4 3
 REMEMBER!!!
1. Group of atoms like sulphate (SO4) are counted
as a whole; not separately.

2. Chemical formula of any compound can’t be

changed.
 Practice !!
CH4 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O

CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O

 Practice !!
MgCO3 + HNO3 -> Mg(NO3)2 + H2O + CO2

MgCO3 + 2HNO3 -> Mg(NO3)2 + H2O +

CO2
 State Symbol – It refers to whether an element, ion,
compound or molecule is in solid, liquid, gaseous or
aqueous state.
It indicates the physical state of reactants and products in
a balanced chemical equation.
Relative Atomic Mass (Ar)
It is the weighed average Relative Atomic Mass has
mass of the isotopes of the no Unit.
element.

It is measured on a scale The value is written in

where Carbon-12 atom has a periodic table as mass
mass of exactly 12. number.

Eg. The Ar of Chlorine is 35.5.

FORMULA 1
Relative Formula Mass
It is the sum of all the relative atomic masses of its
constituent atoms.
It has no unit.

Eg. Find relative formula mass of Ca(OH)2

Relative atomic masses

Ca = 40
O = 16
H=1

Mr = 40 + 2(16+1) = 74
 CuSO4.5H2O
Cu = 63.5 H=1 O=16 S=32
 Using Relative Formula Mass to
find % Composition
 
Formula 2

% of an Element =
 Q. Find the % of Copper in
Copper (II) Oxide, CuO.
Step I Step 2 Step 3

 
Mass of Element Total Mass, CuO % of Copper
Copper (Cu)
= 63.5 = 63.5 + 16 =
= 79.5 = 79.9%
 Q. Find the % of Oxygen in
Sodium Carbonate, Na2CO3.
Step I Step 2 Step 3

 
Mass of Element Total Mass, Na2CO3 % of Oxygen
Oxygen (O)
= 16 = (2 x 23) + 12 + (3 x 16) =
= 106 = 45.3 %
 MOLE
A mole is the amount of substance that
contains Avogadro number of articles i.e 6.023
x 1023 particles.

A mole is the atomic mass/molecular mass of

any element/compound in grams.

1 mole Sulphur = 32 g of Sulphur

1 mole Magnesium Oxide = 24+16 = 40 g of MgO
 MOLE
1 mole CaCl2 where Ca=40 and Cl=35.5
= 40 + (2 x 35.5) = 111 g

1 mole of FeS04.7H2O
Where Fe=56, S=32, O=16, H=1
= 56 + 32 + (4 x 16) + {7 [(2 x 1) x 16]}
= 278 g
 Calculating masses of a mole of
substance
 
Formula 3,4

No. of moles (mol) =

Mass of substance = No. of moles x Molar Mass

 Q. Find the mass of 0.2 mol of
Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3.
Step I Step 2 Step 3

No. of moles Molar Mass Mass of CaCO3

= 0.2 mol = 40 + 12 + (3 x 16) = 0.2 x 100
= 100 = 20 g

1 mol -> 100 g 0.2 mol -> 20 g

 Q. Find the mass of 0.5 mol of
Iron(II)Sulphate Crystals – FeSO4.7H2O.
Step I Step 2 Step 3

No. of moles Molar Mass Mass of CaCO3

= 0.5 mol = 56 + 32 + (4x16)+ = 0.5 x 278
7((2x1)+16) = 139 g
=278g
0.5 mol -> 139 g
1 mol -> 278 g
 Empirical Formula

• Simplest whole number ratio of atoms

in compound.
• Does not show actual formula
(CO2 – Actual formula + Empirical Formula)

• Masses of atoms -> By experiment

Empirical formula is found then.
 Molecular Formula

• Shows actual number of atoms of each

element in a compound.
• Simply, it is a simple multiple of
empirical formula.
• Sometimes, can be same as empirical
formula.
A sample of a compound has 1.27 g of Cu and
0.16 g of O. Find empirical formula?
(Ar of Cu-63.5, O-16)
Cu O
Mass/g 1.27 0.16
Given mass/molar mass 1.27/63.5 0.16/16
No. of moles 0.02 0.01
Divide by smallest ratio 0.02/0.01 0.01/0.01
Ratio of moles 2 1
Empirical Formula Cu2O
A sample of a compound has 0.78 g of K,
1.10 g of Mn and 1.28 g of O. Find empirical
formula? (Ar of K-39, Mn-55, O-16)
K Mn O
Mass/g 0.78 1.10 1.28
Given mass/molar mass 0.78/39 1.10/55 1.28/16
No. of moles 0.02 0.02 0.08
Divide by smallest ratio 0.02/0.02 0.02/0.02 0.08/0.02
Ratio of moles 1 1 4
Empirical Formula KMnO4
 Formula of Metal Oxide by Combustion
(Magnesium Oxide)

01 Weigh a crucible with a lid. Mass of empty crucible - 32.46 g

Place 10cm long Magnesium

Mass of crucible
02 ribbon. Weigh + Magnesium - 32.70 g
Crucible + Magnesium

Heat the crucible strongly. Lift

03 lid every few seconds.

After reaction, cool. Weigh Mass of crucible

04 crucible and remaining + Contents after experiment - 32.86 g
contents.

Mass of Magnesium = Mass of Oxygen =

32.70 – 32.46 = 0.24 g 32.86 – 32.70 = 0.16 g
 POINTS TO REMEMBER !!!
Magnesium burns with a
bright white flame to Mass increases because
produce Magnesium oxide The lid is lifted every few
seconds to allow entry of Magnesium reacts with
(white powder). Oxygen to form
oxygen into the crucible to
react with magnesium. Magnesium Oxide
Hence, a lid is placed on (greater mass)
the crucible to prevent
escape of the white
powder.

Combustion – Burning of any substance in presence of oxygen.

Eg. Magnesium ribbon is burned in oxygen to form a white powder –
Magnesium Oxide.
 Magnesium Oxide
(Ar of Mg-24, O-16)
Mg O
Mass/g 0.24 0.16
Given mass/molar mass 0.24/24 0.16/16
No. of moles 0.01 0.01
Divide by smallest ratio 0.01/0.01 0.01/0.01
Ratio of moles 1 1
Empirical Formula MgO
 Formula of Metal Oxide by Reduction
(Copper Oxide)

01 Weigh a ceramic dish.

Place 3g Copper Oxide on crucible

02 . Weigh
Crucible + Magnesium
Mass of empty dish – 23.78 g
Pass Hydrogen gas over copper
03
Mass of dish + Copper Oxide – 26.96 g
oxide. Excess hydrogen comes
out, ignite it. Mass of crucible

Heat copper oxide strongly. At + Contents after experiment – 26.32 g

04 end, pink brown copper metal is Mass of Copper Oxide = Mass of Copper =
26.32 – 23.78= 2.54 g
seen. 26.96 – 23.78= 3.18 g
Mass of Oxygen =
3.18 – 2.54= 0.64 g
 Copper Oxide
(Ar of Cu-63.5, O-16)
Cu O
Mass/g 2.54 0.64
Given mass/molar mass 2.54/63.5 0.64/16
No. of moles 0.04 0.04
Divide by smallest ratio 0.04/0.04 0.04/0.04
Ratio of moles 1 1
Empirical Formula CuO
 Formula of Water

Mass of empty dish – 23.78 g

Mass of dish + Copper Oxide – 26.96 g
Mass of crucible + Contents after experiment – 26.32 g
Mass of water – 0.72
Mass of Copper Oxide =
26.96 – 23.78= 3.18 g Mass of Oxygen = Mass of Hydrogen =
Mass of Copper = 3.18 – 2.54= 0.64 g 0.72 – 0.64= 0.08 g
26.32 – 23.78= 2.54 g
 Water (Ar of H-1, O-16)
H O
Mass/g 0.08 0.64

Given mass/molar mass 0.08/1 0.64/16

No. of moles 0.08 0.04
Divide by smallest ratio 0.08/0.04 0.04/0.04
Ratio of moles 2 1
Empirical Formula H2O
Formula using Percentage Composition
Find Empirical Formula of a compound having 82.7% C and17.3% H by mass.
Ar of C – 12, H-1

C H
Percentages 82.7 17.3
Mass in 100g/g 82.7 17.3

Given mass/molar mass 82.7/12 17.3/1

No. of moles 6.89 17.3
Divide by smallest ratio 6.89/6.89 17.3/6.89 2
Ratio of moles 1 2.5
Empirical Formula C2H5
Converting Empirical formula to
Molecular formula
Formula 5,6

Empirical Formula x n = Molecular Mass

Molecular formula = Empirical formula x n

Q. A compound has Empirical formula CH2. If relative
formula mass = 56, find molecular formula.

Step I Step 2 Step 3

Empirical Formula x n = CH2 = (1x12 + 1x1) Molecular formula =

Molecular Mass Empirical formula x n
= 14
CH2 x 4 = C4H8
CH2 x n = 56 14 x n = 56
n = 56/14
=4
 Empirical Formula involving Water of
Crystallisation
All crystals have some fixed When hydrated barium chloride
amount of water in it. crystal are heated in a crucible, PROCEDURE
These water molecules which the water is driven off, leaving 1. Empty crucible is weighed.
are chemically bound to salt is anhydrous salt. 2. Barium chloride is added.
called “water of crystallization”. Mass of crucible+
salt is taken.
3. Crucible is heated strongly.
4. Mass of crucible+anhydrous
salt is recorded.

DATA OBTAINED:
Mass of crucible - 30.00 g
Mass of crucible + Barium Chloride Crystals (BaCl2.nH2O) - 32.44 g
Mass of crucible + Anhydrous Barium Chloride (BaCl2) - 32.08 g

Mass of BaCl2 - 32.08-30.00 = 2.08 g

Mass of water - 32.44 - 32.08 = 0.36 g
Find value of n in BaCl2. nH2O
BaCl2 nH2O
Mass/g 2.08 0.36
Given mass/molar mass 2.08/208 0.36/18
No. of moles 0.01 0.02
Divide by smallest ratio 0.01/0.01 0.02/0.01
Ratio of moles 1 2
Empirical Formula BaCl2. 2H2O
Calculations using moles, chemical equations and masses of
substances

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3

Find the number of moles. Find out the number of Convert no. of moles to
moles of the required mass using the formula.
No. of moles = substance from the mole
Given Mass/Molar Mass ratios.
 Q. When CaCO3 is heated, calcium oxide (CaO) is
formed. If 25g of CaCO3 was heated, how much CaO will
be produced?
Step I Step 2 Step 3

Given Mass
No. of moles CaCo3 -> CaO + CO2 =No. Of moles x Molar Mass
=Given mass/molar mass
Molar mass Molar Mass = 40+16=56
1 mole of CaCo3 -> 1
= (40+12+(3x16))=100 mole CaO Given Mass
= 0.25 x 56
No. of moles = 14 g CaO
0.25 mole of CaCO3
= 25/100
=0.25 moles
-> 0.25 mole of CaO
 Calculating % yield
Formula 7
 

Percentage yield =
Actual yield: Mass obtained after experiment
Theoretical yield: Mass of product after mole calculation
Q. 2.40g of Copper(II) oxide (CuO) is reacted with sulphuric acid.
5.21 g of Copper (II) sulphate crystals (CuSO4.5H2O) is formed.
Find the % yield?
CuO + H2SO4  CuSO4 + H2O
CuSO4 + 5H2O  CuSO4.5H2O

Step I Step 2 Step 3

 
For CuO, 1 mol CuO  1 mol CuSO4 Percentage yield =
Mass = 2.40g (0.302 mol) 1:1 =
No. of moles
= Mass/Molar mass 1 mol CuSO4  1 mol CuSO4.5H2O = 69.2%
= 2.40/79.5 1:1 (0.302 mol)
= 0.302 mol Mass = No. of moles * Molar Mass
= 0.302 * 249.5
= 7.53 g
THEORETICAL
YIELD
 POINTS TO REMEMBER !!!
Theoretical yield is always more than actual
yield. Why?

Ans. During experiments, there can be spillages or

losses while transferring a liquid from one container to
another. It may also be due to side reactions where some
starting materials are changed into unwanted products.
 Calculations to find a substance in excess!!

Find no. of moles if mass is Q. Copper and nitric acid react acc. to eq.
01 given.
3.2g Cu is made to react with 0.40mol nitric acid. Find
Look at mole ratio and find no. of which reagent is in excess.
02 moles that must be gotten. Ans. No. of moles of Cu = 3.2/63.5 = 0.050mol
From reaction,
If no. of moles in ques in less, 1mol Cu reacts with 4 moles of HNO3
03 substance is in excess. 0.050mol Cu reacts with x mol of HNO3
x = 0.20mol
But we reacted Cu with 0.40mol HNO3!!
Otherwise, the substance has
04 been used up.
Hence, HNO3 is in excess.

Find how much NO2 is produced?

 Handout 2
Here is where your presentation begins
Formula 1
No of moles (Gas) =
(Given Volume)/(Molar Volume)
Given Volume : Volume of Gas (in Q)
Molar Volume : Volume occupied by 1 mole of gas

Molar volume at RTP (Room Temp. and Pressure)

= 24 dm3 or 24000 cm3

1 Litre =
1 dm 3 =
1 0 00 c m 3
Calculate the amount in moles for the following:
2.4 dm of O2 at rtp
3

480 dm3 of He at rtp

100 cm3 of CO2 at rtp
1500 cm3 of N2 at rtp

a. 0.10 mol
b. 20 mol
c. 0.00417 mol
d. 0.0625 mol
Formula 2,3
Volume of Gas =
No. of moles x Molar Volume

No. of moles (Solution) =

Volume (cm3) x Conc. (mol/cm3)
No. of moles (Solution) =
Volume (cm3) x Conc. (mol/dm3)
1000
 1 mole of any gas
Occupies volume
24000cm3 or 24dm3
At
Room Temperature and
Pressure (rtp)
 Calculate the volume of gas at rtp:
2.0 mol of H2
1.0 x 10-3 mol of CO
0.10 mol of SO2

a. 48 dm3 / 48000 cm3

b. 2.4 dm3 / 2400 cm3
c. 0.024 dm3 / 24 cm3
Formula 4
No. of moles (Solution) =
Volume (cm3) x Conc. (mol/dm3)
1000
Volume of Solution =
No. of moles x 1000
Conc. (mol/dm3)
 Problems Solutions
a. Calculate the mass of 200 cm3 of a. No. of moles = Given volume/Molar Volume
chlorine gas (Cl2) at rtp. = 200/24,000
= 0.00833 mol
Ar of Cl = 35.5
Mass of chlorine = No. of moles x Molar mass
= 0.00833 x 71
b. Calculate the volume occupied by = 0.592g
0.16g of Oxygen at rtp.
Ar of O = 16 b. 1 mole of O2 → (16 x 2) = 32 g
x mole of O2 → 0.16 g
x = 5 x 10-3
Volume of Gas= No. of moles x Molar volume
= 5 x 10-3 x 24
= 0.12 dm3
Formula 5

Concentration (mol/dm3)=
No. of moles
Volume (dm3)
 What is the conc of 0.050mol/dm3 solution of
Na2CO3?
Ar C=12, O=16, Na=23
1 dm3 of solution → 0.050 mol Na2CO3

1 mol Na2CO3→ 106 g

0.050 mol Na2CO3 → 0.050 x 106 = 5.3g

Concentration = 5.3g
 Find the number of moles of NaOH in 50cm3
of 0.10mol/dm3 solution.
50 cm3 → 0.050 dm3
No. of moles =

= 0.050 x 0.10
= 0.0050 mol
 Find the conc in mol/dm3 of a solution having
2.1g of NaHCO3 in 250 cm3 of solution.

Volume = 250 cm3 → 0.25 dm3

No. of moles
1 mole of NaHCO3 → 84g
X mole of NaHCO3 → 2.1g
x= 0.025 mol

Concentration = 0.025/0.25
=0.1 mol/dm3