Quantitative

Quantitative
Composition
Composition of
of Compounds
Compounds
Chapter
Chapter 77

Hein and Arena

Version 1.1

Eugene Passer
Chemistry Department
Bronx Community College

John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Chapter Outline
7.1 The Mole
7.2 Molar Mass of
Compounds
7.3 Percent Composition of
Compounds

7.4 Empirical Formula versus

Molecular Formula
7.5 Calculating Empirical
Formulas
7.6 Calculating the Molecular
Formula from the Empirical
Formula

TheMole
3

The mass of a single atom is too small to

measure on a balance.
mass of hydrogen atom = 1.673 x 10-24 g

This is an

infinitesimal
1.673 x 10-24 g

mass

 Chemists require a unit for counting

which can express large numbers of
atoms using simple numbers.

MOLE
Chemists have chosen a unit for
counting atoms.
That unit is the

1 mole = 6.022 x 10 objects

23

6.022 x 10

23

is a very

LARGE
number

6.022 x 10

23

is

Avogadros Numbe
number
9

If 10,000 people started to count

Avogardros number and counted at the
rate of 100 numbers per minute each
minute of the day, it would take over 1
trillion years to count the total number.

10

1 mole of any element contains

6.022 x 1023
particles of that substance.

11

The atomic mass in grams

of any element23
contains 1 mole of atoms.

12

This is the same number of particles

6.022 x 1023
as there are in exactly 12 grams of

12
6

C
13

Examples

14

Species
Quantity
Number of H
atoms

H
1 mole

6.022 x 1023
15

Species
Quantity
Number of
H2 molecules

H2
1 mole

6.022 x 1023
16

Species
Quantity
Number of
Na atoms

Na
1 mole

6.022 x 1023
17

Species
Quantity
Number of
Fe atoms

Fe
1 mole

6.022 x 1023
18

Species C6H6
Quantity 1 mole
Number of C6H6
6.022 x 1023
molecules
19

1 mol of atoms = 6.022 x 1023 atoms

1 mol of molecules = 6.022 x 1023 molecules
1 mol of ions = 6.022 x 1023 ions

20

 The molar mass of an element is its

atomic mass in grams.

It contains 6.022 x 1023 atoms

(Avogadros number) of the element.

21

Element

Atomic
mass

Number of
atoms

Molar mass

1.008 amu

1.008 g

6.022 x 1023

Mg

24.31 amu

24.31 g

6.022 x 1023

Na

22.99 amu

22.99 g

6.022 x 1023

22

Problems

23

How many moles of iron does 25.0 g of iron

represent?
Atomic mass iron = 55.85
Conversion sequence: grams Fe moles
Fe
Set up the calculation using a conversion factor
between moles and grams.
1 mol Fe
(grams Fe)

55.85 g Fe
1 mol Fe
(25.0 g Fe)
0.448 mol Fe

55.85 g Fe
24

How many iron atoms are contained in 40.0 grams of

iron?
Atomic mass iron = 55.85
Conversion sequence: grams Fe atoms Fe
Set up the calculation using a conversion factor
between atoms and grams.
6.022 x 1023 atoms Fe
(grams Fe)

55.85
g
Fe

6.022 x 1023 atoms Fe

23
(25.0 g Fe)

2.70
x
10
atoms Fe

55.85 g Fe

25

What is the mass of 3.01 x 1023 atoms of sodium (Na)?

Molar mass Na = 22.99 g
Conversion sequence: atoms Na grams Na
Set up the calculation using a conversion factor
between grams and atoms.
22.99 g Na

23
6.022 x 10 atoms Na

(atoms Na)

22.99 g Na

11.5 g Na
23
6.022 x 10 atoms Na
26

(3.01 x 10 atoms Na)

23

What is the mass of 0.365 moles of tin?

Atomic mass tin = 118.7
Conversion sequence: moles Sn grams Sn
Set up the calculation using a conversion factor
between grams and atoms.
1 molar mass Sn

(moles Sn)

1 mole Sn

118.7 g Sn

(0.365 moles Sn)

43.3 g Sn
1 mole Sn

27

How many oxygen atoms are present in 2.00 mol of

oxygen molecules?
Two conversion factors are needed:
6.022 x 10 molecules O 2

1
mol
O

2
23

2 atoms O
1 mol O

Conversion sequence:
moles O2 molecules O atoms O
6.022 x 1023 molecules O 2 2 atoms O
(2.00 mol O 2 )
1 molecule O
1
mol
O

2
2

= 2.41 x1024 atoms O

28

MolarMassof
Compounds
29

The molar mass of a compound can be

determined by adding the molar masses
of all of the atoms in its formula.

30

Calculate the molar mass of C2H6O.

2 C = 2(12.01 g) = 24.02 g
6 H = 6(1.01 g) = 6.06 g
1 O = 1(16.00 g) = 16.00 g
46.08 g

31

Calculate the molar mass of LiClO4.

1 Li = 1(6.94 g) = 6.94 g
1 Cl = 1(35.45 g) = 35.45 g
4 O = 4(16.00 g) = 64.00 g
106.39 g

32

Calculate the molar mass of (NH4)3PO4 .

3 N = 3(14.01 g) = 42.03 g
12 H = 12(1.01 g) = 12.12 g
1 P = 1(30.97 g) = 30.97 g
4 O = 4(16.00 g) = 64.00 g
149.12 g

33

Avogadros
Number of
Particles

6 x 10
Particles
23

1 MOLE

Molar

34

Avogadros
Number of
Ca atoms

6 x 10
Ca atoms
23

1 MOLE Ca

40.078 g

35

Avogadros
Number of
H2O molecules

6 x 1023
H2O

molecules

1 MOLE H2O

18.02 g H2O

36

These relationships are present when

hydrogen combines with chlorine.
H

Cl

HCl

6.022 x 1023 H
atoms

6.022 x 1023 Cl
atoms

6.022 x 1023 HCl

molecules

1 mol H atoms 1 mol Cl atoms

1 mol HCl
molecules

1.008 g H

35.45 g Cl

36.46 g HCl

1 molar mass H
atoms

1 molar mass
Cl atoms

1 molar mass
HCl molecules
37

In dealing with diatomic elements (H2, O2,

N2, F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2), distinguish between
one mole of atoms and one mole of
molecules.

38

Calculate the molar mass of 1 mole of H atoms.

1 H = 1(1.01 g) = 1.01 g

Calculate the molar mass of 1 mole of H2 molecules.

2 H = 2(1.01 g) = 2.02 g

39

Problems

40

How many moles of benzene, C6H6, are present in

390.0 grams of benzene?
The molar mass of C6H6 is 78.12 g.
Conversion sequence: grams C6H6 moles C6H6
78.12 grams C6 H 6
Use the conversion factor:
1 mole C6 H 6
1 mole C6 H 6
= 5.000 moles C6 H 6
(390.0 g C6 H 6 )

78.12 g C6 H 6
41

How many grams of (NH4)3PO4 are contained in 2.52

moles of (NH4)3PO4?
The molar mass of (NH4)3PO4 is 149.12 g.
Conversion sequence: moles (NH4)3PO4
grams (NH4)3PO4
149.12 grams (NH 4 ) 3PO 4
Use the conversion factor:
1 mole (NH 4 )3PO 4
149.12 g (NH 4 )3 PO 4
(2.52 mol (NH 4 )3PO 4 )

1 mol (NH 4 )3 PO 4
= 376g (NH 4 )3PO42
4

56.04 g of N2 contains how many N2 molecules?

The molar mass of N2 is 28.02 g.
Conversion sequence: g N2 moles N2 molecules N2

Use the conversion factors

1 mol N 2
28.02 g N 2

6.022 x 1023 molecules N 2

1 mol N 2

1 mol N 2 6.022 x 10 molecules N 2

(56.04 g N 2 )

1 mol N 2
28.02 g N 2

23

= 1.204 x 1024 molecules

43 N 2

56.04 g of N2 contains how many N2 atoms?

The molar mass of N2 is 28.02 g.
Conversion sequence: g N2 moles N2 molecules N2
atoms N

Use the conversion factors

1 mol N 2 6.022 x 1023 molecules N 2
2 atoms N
28.02 g N 2
1 molecule N 2
1 mol N 2
1 mol N 2 6.022 x 10 molecules N 2
(56.04 g N 2 )

28.02
g
N
1
mol
N

2
2

23

2 atoms N
1 molecule N

= 2.409 x 1024 atoms

44 N

PercentComposition
ofCompounds
45

Percent composition of a compound is the

mass percent of each element in the compound.

11.19% H by mass

H2 O

88.79% O by mass
46

Percent Composition
From Formula

47

If the formula of a compound is known a

two-step process is needed to calculate
the percent composition.
Step 1 Calculate the molar mass of the
formula.
Step 2 Divide the total mass of each
element in the formula by the
molar mass and multiply by
100.
48

total mass of the element

x 100 = percent of the element
molar mass

49

Calculate the percent composition of hydrosulfuric

acid H2S.

Step 1 Calculate the molar mass of H2S.

2 H = 2 x 1.01g = 2.02 g
1 S = 1 x 32.07 g = 32.07 g
34.09 g

50

Calculate the percent composition of hydrosulfuric

acid H2S.

Step 2 Divide the mass of each element

by the molar mass and multiply
by 100.
2.02 g H
H:
(100) = 5.93%
34.09 g

32.07 g S
S:
(100) 94.07%
34.09 g

94.07%

5.93%

51

Percent Composition
From Experimental Data

52

Percent composition can be calculated

from experimental data without knowing
the composition of the compound.
Step 1 Calculate the mass of the
compound formed.
Step 2 Divide the mass of each element
by the total mass of the
compound and multiply by 100.
53

A compound containing nitrogen and oxygen is found

to contain 1.52 g of nitrogen and 3.47 g of oxygen.
Determine its percent composition.

Step 1 Calculate the total mass of the compound

1.52 g N

3.47 g O
4.99 g = total mass of product

54

A compound containing nitrogen and oxygen is found

to contain 1.52 g of nitrogen and 3.47 g of oxygen.
Determine its percent composition.

Step 2 Divide the mass of each element

by the total mass of the
compound formed.
1.52 g N

(100) = 30.5%
4.99 g

3.47 g O

(100) = 69.5%
4.99 g

69.5%

30.5%

55

EmpiricalFormulaversus
MolecularFormula
56

 The empirical formula or simplest

formula gives the smallest wholenumber ratio of the atoms present in a
compound.

The empirical formula gives the

relative number of atoms of each
element present in the compound.
57

 The molecular formula is the true

formula of a compound.
The molecular formula represents the
total number of atoms of each element
present in one molecule of a compound.

58

Examples

59

Molecular Formula

C2H4

Empirical Formula

CH2

Smallest Whole
Number Ratio

C:H 1:2
60

Molecular Formula

C6H6

Empirical Formula

CH

Smallest Whole
Number Ratio

C:H 1:1
61

Molecular Formula

H2O2

Empirical Formula

HO

Smallest Whole
Number Ratio

H:O 1:1
62

63

Two compounds can have identical

empirical formulas and different molecular
formulas.

64

65

Calculating
EmpiricalFormulas
66

Step 1 Assume a definite starting

quantity (usually 100.0 g) of the
compound, if if the actual
amount is not given, and express
the mass of each element in
grams.
Step 2 Convert the grams of each
element into moles of each
element using each elements
molar mass.

67

Step 3 Divide the moles of atoms of

each element by the moles of
atoms of the element that had the
smallest value.
If the numbers obtained are whole
numbers, use them as subscripts
and write the empirical formula.
If the numbers obtained are not
whole numbers, go on to step 4.

68

Step 4 Multiply the values obtained in

step 3 by the smallest numbers
that will convert them to whole
numbers

Use these whole numbers as the

subscripts in the empirical
formula.

Fe1 x 2O1.5 x 2

FeO1.5

Fe2O3
69

 The results of calculations may differ

from a whole number.
If they differ 0.1 round off to the next
nearest whole number.

2.9 3
Deviations greater than 0.1 unit from a
whole number usually mean that the
calculated ratios have to be multiplied by
a whole number.
70

Some Common Fractions and Their Decimal Equivalents

Decimal
Resulting Whole
Common Fraction
Equivalent
Number
1
4

0.25

1
3

0.333

0.666

0.5

0.75

3 71

2
3
1
2
3
4

Multiply the
decimal equivalent
by the number in
the denominator of
the fraction to get
a whole number.

Problems

72

The analysis of a salt shows that it contains 56.58%

potassium (K); 8.68% carbon (C); and 34.73% oxygen
(O). Calculate the empirical formula for this
substance.
Step 1 Express each element in grams. Assume 100
grams of compound.

K = 56.58 g
C = 8.68 g
O = 34.73 g
73

The analysis of a salt shows that it contains 56.58%

potassium (K); 8.68% carbon (C); and 34.73% oxygen
(O). Calculate the empirical formula for this
substance.
Step 2 Convert the grams of each element to moles.
1 mol K atoms
K: 56.58 g K
1.447 mol K atoms

39.10 g K
1 mol C atoms
atoms
C: 8.68 g C
0.723 mol C atoms

12.01 g C

C has the smallest number

of moles

1 mol O atoms
2.171 mol O atoms
O: 34.73 g O

16.00 g O
74

The analysis of a salt shows that it contains 56.58%

potassium (K); 8.68% carbon (C); and 34.73% oxygen
(O). Calculate the empirical formula for this
substance.
Step 3 Divide each number of moles by the smallest
value.
1.447 mol
0.723 mol
K=
= 2.00
C:
= 1.00
0.723 mol
0.723 mol
0.723 mol C atoms
2.171 mol
O=
= 3.00
C has the smallest number
0.723 mol
of moles

The simplest ratio of K:C:O is 2:1:3

Empirical formula K2CO3

75

The percent composition of a compound is 25.94%

nitrogen (N), and 74.06% oxygen (O). Calculate the
empirical formula for this substance.
Step 1 Express each element in grams. Assume 100
grams of compound.
N = 25.94 g
O = 74.06 g

76

The percent composition of a compound is 25.94%

nitrogen (N), and 74.06% oxygen (O). Calculate the
empirical formula for this substance.
Step 2 Convert the grams of each element to moles.
1 mol N atoms
1.852 mol N atoms
N: 25.94 g N

14.01 g N
1 mol O atoms
O: 74.06 g O
4.629 mol C atoms

16.00 g O
77

The percent composition of a compound is 25.94%

nitrogen (N), and 74.06% oxygen (O). Calculate the
empirical formula for this substance.
Step 3 Divide each number of moles by the smallest
value.
1.852 mol
N=
= 1.000
1.852 mol

4.629 mol
O:
= 2.500
1.852 mol

This is not a ratio of whole numbers.

78

The percent composition of a compound is 25.94%

nitrogen (N), and 74.06% oxygen (O). Calculate the
empirical formula for this substance.
Step 4 Multiply each of the values by 2.
N: (1.000)2 = 2.000

O: (2.500)2 = 5.000

Empirical formula N2O5

79

CalculatingtheMolecularFormula
fromtheEmpiricalFormula

80

 The molecular formula can be calculated

from the empirical formula if the molar mass
is known.
The molecular formula will be equal to the
empirical formula or some multiple, n, of it.
To determine the molecular formula evaluate
n.
n is the number of units of the empirical
formula contained in the molecular formula.
molar mass
n=
= number of empirical
formula units
mass of empirical formula
81

What is the molecular formula of a compound which

has an empirical formula of CH2 and a molar mass of
126.2 g?
Let n = the number of formula units of CH 2.
Calculate the mass of each CH2 unit
1 C = 1(12.01 g) = 12.01g
2 H = 2(1.01 g) = 2.02g
14.03g
126.2 g
n
9 (empirical formula units)
14.03 g
The molecular formula is (CH2)9 = C9H18
82

83