Stoichiometry Notes

STOICHOMETRY

Relative atomic mass Ar : is defined as the average mass of one atom of an element
compared with the mass of one atom of carbon – 12, the mass of which is taken as
exactly 12.00 a. m. u. (atomic mass units).

Relative molecular mass Mr : is defined as the average mass of one molecule of an

non-metallic element or covalent compound compared with the mass of one atom of
carbon – 12, the mass of which is taken as exactly 12.00 a. m. u. (atomic mass units).

Relative formula mass : is defined as the average mass of one formula unit of an ionic
compound compared with the mass of one atom of carbon – 12, the mass of which is
taken as exactly 12.00 a. m. u. (atomic mass units).

 NB – relative formula mass it should be noted has no formal symbol and thus
R.F.M. is used in some texts to reduce confusion.

How to calculate Relative Atomic, Relative Molecular, and Relative Formula masses

Relative atomic mass of an element is found by using the mass number taken to the
nearest whole number for the element.

Relative atomic mass

Examples.

Beryllium : Ar (Be) = 9

Sulphur : Ar (S) = 32

Iron : Ar (Fe) = 56

Relative molecular or formula mass of an covalent or ionic compound respectively is

found by adding together the relative atomic masses (i.e. the mass numbers) of ALL the
atoms in the molecule or formula unit.

Relative molecular mass

Examples.

Nitrogen Mr (N2) = (2 × 14) = 28

Chlorine Mr (Cl2) = (2 × 35.5) = 71

 Stoichiometry Notes

Ozone Mr (O3) = (3 × 16) = 48

Water : Mr (H2O) = (2 × 1) +(1 × 16) = 2 + 16 = 18

Glucose : Mr (C6H12O6) = (6 × 12) + (12 × 1) + (6 × 16) = 72 + 12 + 96 = 180

Ammonia : Mr (NH3) = (1× 14) + (3 × 1) = 14 + 3 = 17

Relative formula mass

Aluminium Oxide : Al2O3 = (2 × 27) + (3 × 16) = 54 + 48 = 102

Beryllium Silicide : Be4Si2 = (4× 9) + (2 × 14) = 36 + 28 = 64

Sodium Oxide : Na2O = (2 × 23) + (1 × 16) = 46 + 16 = 62

Ammonium sulphate : (NH4)2SO4 = (2 × 14) + (8 × 1) + (1 × 32) + (4 × 16)

= 28 + 8 + 32 + 64
= 132

Phosphoric acid : H3PO4 = (3× 1) + (1 × 31) + (4 ×16) = 3 + 31+ 64 = 98

THE MOLE CONCEPT

An entity is a term for anything with a physical form; (be it bananas, marbles, atoms,
pens, molecules, people, plants, animals etc).

A Dozen is 12

A Score is 20

A Gross is 144

A mole is 6.02 ×1023

* NB - The mole MUST be considered central to all calculations in chemistry, just as

our sun is central to our galaxy, everything calculative in chemistry is dependent on
the mole.

Due to the tireless work of one scientist the Italian Amadeo Avogadro it has been found
that 12.00 g of carbon -12 contains 6.02 ×1023 C atoms.

This number is now called the Avogadro’s number or constant (L) in honor of his
invaluable contribution.
 Stoichiometry Notes

A mole is defined as the amount of a substance that contains the same number of particles
as there are Carbon atoms in 12.00 g of Carbon -12.

Element : 27 g of Aluminium (Al) contain 6.02 ×1023 Al atoms.

Covalent compound : 44 g of carbon dioxide (CO2) contain 6.02 ×1023 CO2 molecules.

Ionic compound : 35 g of Lithium Nitride (Li3N) contain 6.02 ×1023 Li3N formula
units/ions

 NB – ‘Amount’ of a substance may be mass or volume if referring to a gas.

 NB – ‘Particles’ may be either, atoms for an element; molecules for a covalent

compound; and formula units/ions for an ionic compound.

The mole and mass

With reference to mass 1 mole is the mass of a substance that contains 6.02 ×1023
particles of that substance (be that the substance is an element, covalent compound or
ionic compound).

One mole of a substance has a mass equal to the relative atomic mass (Ar) – for elements,
relative molecular mass (Mr) – for covalent compounds, or relative formula mass – for
ionic compounds expressed in grams.

Molar mass M is defined as the relative atomic mass (Ar), relative molecular mass (Mr)
or relative formula mass expressed in grams per mole (g mol-1).

 NB – the abbrev. R.A.M is used in some text for relative atomic mass
 NB – the abbrev. R.M.M is used in some text for relative molecular mass
 NB – the abbrev. R.F.M is used in some text for relative formula mass.

Mole Calculation Notations

The mole and mass

mol – the number of moles of a substance (be it an element, or compound -: ionic

compound or covalent compound) in mol.

m – the mass of a substance (element or compound) in grams (g)

M – the molar mass, (mass of 1 mole of a substance ;- element or compound) in grams

per mole (g mol-1)
 Stoichiometry Notes

L – the Avogadro’s constant (6.02 ×1023 mol-1); the number of particles either, atoms for
an element; molecules for a covalent compound of; and formula units/ions for an ionic
compound.

n – the actual number of particles in a substance (either atoms, molecules, or formula

units).

Formulae involving the mole and mass

 Converting from (m) → (mol)

mol (mol) = m(g)

M( g mol-1)

 Converting from (mol) → (m)

m = mol (mol) × M (g mol -1)

 Converting from (n) → (mol)

mol (mol) = n
L ( mol-1) L = (6.02 ×1023 mol-1)

 Converting from (mol) → (n)

n = mol (mol) × L (mol -1) L = (6.02 ×1023 mol-1)

FINDING PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION FROM FORMULAE

If one knows the formula of a compound, it is a simple task to express the percentage by
mass of each element in the compound. This is known as the percentage composition by
mass.

Percentage composition by mass or percentage by mass may be calculate using the

formula and layout of sample question 1. below:

% by mass of a specific element = total mass of the particular element × 100

Mass of 1 mole of the compound

Sample question 1.
What is the percentage composition by mass of all the elements in
copper(II) Sulphate – 5 – water, CuSO4.

( M ) Mass of 1 mole CuSO4.5H2O = (1× 64) + (1 × 32) + (9 ×16) +(10× 1) +

= 64 + 32 + 144 + 10
 Stoichiometry Notes

= 250 g
% Cu = 64 × 100 = 25.6 %
250
% S = 32 × 100 = 12.8 %
250
% O = 144 × 100 = 57.6 %
250
% H = 10 × 100 =4%
250

Sample question 2.
What is the percentage composition by mass of the element Nitrogen
in Anhydrous Ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3.

( M ) Mass of 1 mole NH4NO3 = (2× 14) + (4 × 1) + (3 ×16)

= 28 + 4 + 48
= 80 g
Mass of Nitrogen in 1 mole NH4NO3 = (2× 14) = 28 g

%N = 28 × 100 = 35%
80

NB – It is possible to find the percentage by mass of a group of atoms jointly in a

compound such as the water+ H2O in a hydrated salt as in sample question 3 below.

Sample question 3.
What is the percentage composition by mass of the water in
Cobalt (II) Chloride – 6 – water, CoCl2.6H2O

(M ) Mass of 1 mole CoCl2.6H2O = (1× 59) + (2 × 35.5) + (12 × 1 + 6 × 16)

= 59 + 71 + 108
= 238 g

Mass of H2O in 1 mole CoCl2.6H2O = (12 × 1 + 6 × 16) = 108 g

% H2O = 108 × 100 = 45.4 %

238

Finding the Empirical formula of a Compound

The empirical formula of a compound - is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms or
formula units in a compound.

When given the empirical formula, the molecular formula of compound may calculated
as follows;
 Stoichiometry Notes

 n = a whole number (the number of empirical units per mol).

Empirical formula mass of compound E.F.M. = g mol-1

Relative molecular mass of compound R.M.M = g mol-1

n = R.M.M
E.F.M

 NB – multiplying the subscripts of each atom in the E.F. by n (the number of

empirical units per mol).

n(E.F.) = M.F.(molecular formula)

Sample question 1.

1. An oxide of aluminium having 52.9% Al and 47.1% O by mass. (Ar Al = 27; O

=16) [2]

Elements Al : O
mass (g) 52.9 : 47.1
Ar of element(g mol-1) 27 : 16
mol = mass/M 52.9/27 : 47.1/16
mol ratio 1.96/1.96 : 2.94/1.96
(÷ by the smallest
♯ mols)
=1 : 1.5 ( ×2 to eliminate fractions of atoms)
Empirical formula Al2O3

Sample question 2.

2. A compound containing 18.2% K, 59.4% I, and 22.4% O by mass. (Ar K = 39; O

= 16; I = 127)[2]

Elements K : I : O
mass (g) 18.2 : 59.4 : 22.4
Ar of element(g mol-1) 39 : 127 : 16
mol = mass/M 18.2/39 : 59.4/127 : 22.4/16
mol ratio 0.47/0.47 : 0.47/0.47 : 1.4/0.47
(÷ by the smallest
♯ mols)

=1 : 1 : 3
Empirical formula KIO3
 Stoichiometry Notes

Finding the Molecular formula of a Compound

(applicable only to covalent compounds)

The Molecular formula of a compound - is the actual number of the atoms or formula
units in one molecule or formula unit of a compound.

Sample question 1

1. Calculate both the empirical and the molecular formula of the compounds below:
(Ar C = 12; H = 1; O = 16; N = 14; Cl = 35.5; )

a) The hydrocarbon benzene contains 92.3% by mass of Carbon, and 7.7% by

mass of hydrogen. The relative molecular mass of benzene is 78g mol-1. [4]

Elements C : H
mass (g) 92.3 : 7.7
Ar of element(g mol-1) 12 : 1
mol = mass/M 92.3/12 : 7.7/1
7.69 : 7.7

mol ratio 7.69/7.69 : 7.7/7.69

(÷ by the smallest
♯ mols)

=1 : 1
Empirical formula = CH
n = a whole number
Molecular formula = n(CH) = CnHn

Empirical formula mass of compound E.F.M.= CH = (1×12) + (1×1) = 13 g mol-1

Relative molecular mass of compound R.M.M = 78 g mol-1

n = R.M.M / E.F.M = 78/13 = 6

Benzene molecular formula = CnHn = C6H6

Sample question 2

2. The liquid rocket propellant Hydrazine contains by mass 87.5% of N and

12.5% of H and has Mr = 32g [4]

Elements N : H
mass (g) 87.5 : 12.5
 Stoichiometry Notes

Ar of element(g mol-1) 14 : 1
mol = mass/M 87.5/14 : 12.5/1
mol ratio 6.25/6.25 : 12.5/6.25
( ÷ by the smallest
no. mols)

=1 : 2
Empirical formula = NH2
n = a whole number
Molecular formula = n(NH2) = NnH2n

Empirical formula mass of compound E.F.M.= NH2n = (1×14) + (2×1) = 16 g mol-1

Relative molecular mass of compound R.M.M = 32 g mol-1

n = R.M.M / E.F.M = 32/16 = 2

Hydrazine molecular formula = NnH2n = N2H4

The mole and Gas volume

mol – the number moles of a substance (be it an element, or compound -: ionic compound
or covalent compound) in mol.

V – the given volume of a gaseous substance (element or compound) under specific

conditions of temperature and pressure in either cm3 or dm3

MV – the molar volume of a gaseous substance, (mass of 1 mole of a gaseous substance ;-

element or compound) in cubic centimeters or decimeters per mole ( dm3 mol-1 or cm3
mol-1)

 The volume occupied by 1 mole of a gaseous substance(element or compound) at

standard temperature and pressure – s.t.p. [0oC, 760 mm Hg]

MV at s. t. p. = 224 00 cm3 mol-1 or 22.4 dm3 mol-1

 The volume occupied by 1 mole of a gaseous substance(element or compound) at

room temperature and pressure – r.t.p. [20oC, 760 mm Hg ]

MV at r. t. p. = 24 000 cm3 mol-1 or 24 dm3 mol-1

L – the Avogadro’s constant (6.02 ×1023 mol-1); the number of particles either, atoms for
an element; molecules for a covalent compound; and formula units/ions for an ionic
compound.

n – the actual number of particles in a substance (either atoms, molecules, or formula

units).
 Stoichiometry Notes

Formulae involving the mole and gas volume

 Converting from (V) → (mol)

mol (mol) = V(cm3 or dm3)

MV ( at s. t. p. or r. t. p.)

MV = 22.4 dm3 mol-1 or 22400 cm3 mol-1 at s. t. p.

MV = 24 dm3 mol-1 or 24 000 cm3 mol-1 at r. t. p.

 Converting from (mol) → (V)

V (dm3 or cm3) = mol (mol) × MV (at s. t. p. or r. t. p )

MV = 22.4 dm3 mol-1 or 22400 cm3 mol-1 at s. t. p.

MV = 24 dm3 mol-1 or 24 000 cm3 mol-1 at r. t. p.

The mole Interconversion Flow chart

As the flow chart below shows all conversions must go through the mole

/M ×L
m mol n

×M /L

/ MV × MV

V
 Stoichiometry Notes

CONCENTRATION OF SOLUTIONS AND THE MOLE

Many properties of Solutions are determined by the amount of a solute is dissolved in a

given quantity of solution or solvent.

There several ways of expressing the concentration of a solution;

1) Percentage Composition.

2) Concentration in terms of :

a. molar concentration

b. mass concentration

Concentration is defined as the amount of a solute that is dissolved in a given/specified

quantity of a solution.

Mass Concentration is defined as the mass of a solute dissolved in 1000 cm3 of solution.

 NB – the focus is on the quantity of solution Not the quantity of solvent used.

Mass concentration can be abbreviated as mass conc.

Mass concentration is measured in g/dm3 or g dm–3 (grams per cubic decimeter.)

Example 1. Find the mass concentration for the following solution:

i) 500 cm3 of a solution of NaOH solution containing 150 g NaOH

500 cm3 of NaOH solution contains 150g of NaOH in solution

1000 cm3 NaOH solution contains 1000 cm3 × 150 g of NaOH in solution
500 cm3
= 300 g dm– 3 NaOH

ii) 7 dm3 of a solution of Pb(NO3)2 solution containing 0.56 g Pb(NO3)2

7 dm3 of Pb(NO3)2 solution contains 0. 56 g of Pb(NO3)2 in solution

1 dm3 of Pb(NO3)2 solution contains 1 dm3 × 0.56 g of Pb(NO3)2 in solution

7 dm3
= 0.08 g dm– 3 Pb(NO3)2
 Stoichiometry Notes

ii) 25 cm3 of a solution of K2CO3 solution containing 8 g K2CO3

25 cm3 of K2CO3 solution contains 8 g of K2CO3 in solution

1000 cm3 K2CO3 solution contains 1000 cm3 × 8 g of K2CO3 in solution

25 cm3
= 320 g dm– 3 K2CO3

iv) 15 dm3 of a solution of NH4Cl solution containing g NH4Cl

15 dm3 of NH4Cl solution contains 27g of NH4Cl in solution

1 dm3 NH4Cl solution contains 1dm3 × 27 g of NH4Cl in solution

15 dm3
= 1.8 g dm–3 NH4Cl

Molar Concentration is defined as the number of moles of a solute dissolved in 1000 cm3
of solution.

 NB – the focus is on the quantity of solution Not the quantity of solvent used.

Molar concentration can be abbreviated as molar conc.

Molar concentration is measured in mol/dm3 or mol dm–3 (moles per cubic decimeter).

Example 1. Find the molar concentration for the following solution:

i) 250 cm3 of a HCl solution containing 0.5 mol of HCl

250 cm3 of HCl solution contains 0.5 mol of HCl in solution

1000 cm3 HCl solution contains 1000 cm3 × 0.5 mol of HCl in solution
250 cm3
= 2 mol dm– 3 HCl

ii) 3 dm3 of a Fe(NO3)3 solution containing 1.5 moles Fe(NO3)3

3 dm3 of Fe(NO3)3 solution contains 1.5 moles of Fe(NO3)3 in solution

1 dm3 of Fe(NO3)3 solution contains 1 dm3 × 1.5 mol of Fe(NO3)3 in solution

3 dm3
= 0.5 mol dm– 3 Fe(NO3)3
 Stoichiometry Notes

ii) 50 cm3 of a KOH solution containing 10 mol KOH

50 cm3 of KOH solution contains 10 moles of KOH in solution

1000 cm3 KOH solution contains 1000 cm3 × 4 mol of KOH in solution
50 cm3
= 80 mol dm– 3 K2CO3

iv) 25 dm3 of a H3PO4 solution containing 0.125 mol H3PO4

25 dm3 of H3PO4 solution contains 0.125 mol of H3PO4 in solution

1 dm3 H3PO4 solution contains 1dm3 × 0.125 mol of H3PO4 in solution

25 dm3
= 0.005 mol dm–3 H3PO4

The Relationship between mass concentration and molar concentration

One knows that the number of moles of a given substance can be found using the formula
below:

mol = m, mass of substance (g)

M, mass of 1 mole of substance (g mol–1)

Thus by simple deduction :

number of moles of solute in 1 dm3 of solution is = mass of solute in 1 dm3 of solution

mass of 1 mole of solute
i.e.

molar concentration (mol dm–3) = mass concentration of solute (g dm–3)

mass of 1 mole of solute (g mol–1)

Rearrangement of the above formula gives two further important formulae

mass concentration = molar × mass of 1 mole of

of solute (g dm–3) concentration (mol dm–3) solute( g mol–1)

mass of 1 mole of solute = mass concentration of solute (g dm–3)

molar concentration (mol dm–3)
 Stoichiometry Notes

PERCENTAGE COMPOSTION OF COMPOUNDS

% by mass of a specific element = total mass of specific element × 100

mass of the compound