Using equations

We usually work out the number of moles of a substance so that we can then work out the number of moles of another substance which is reacting with the first.

What mass of iron reacts with 10.0 g of sulphur? [Fe = 56, S = 32] TOP TIP! Make sure the equation is BALANCED!!!

Fe(s) + S(s) FeS(s)

The equation shows that one mole of sulphur reacts with one mole of iron. We always need the same number of moles of iron and sulphur.

We can work out the number of moles of sulphur from the mass: Number of moles of sulphur = 10.0/32 = 0.313 mol Number of moles of iron = 0.313 mol (the same as the sulphur) Mass of iron = 0.313 56 = 17.5 g