Topic 3a: Amounts of Substances

Monday 13th of April 2020

3.1.4) The Mole and Equations

Understanding Chemical Equations

In a balanced chemical equation, the big number in front of the chemical symbol tells
you the number of moles of that element/atom involved in the chemical equation. The
smaller numbers in the chemical formula tells you how many atoms of each element are
involved in the smallest unit of the substance. The ratio of moles of each substance
always stays the same. You can use this to work out how many moles of a certain
substance is produced.

How many moles of H2O are formed if 2 moles of CH4 combusts completely into
oxygen? The balanced equation for this reaction is: CH4 + 2O2  2H2O + CO2

The ratio of methane to water is 1:2 so if you double the amount of methane you also
need to double the amount of water produced. Therefore, you will get 4mols of water

Balancing Equations using Reacting Masses

The first thing you need to do with this question is make a table with 5 rows and 2 more
columns than substances involved in the equation. From top to bottom label the rows:
substance, mass, Mr, moles and molar ratio.

When doing these questions, you first have to fill in any information that you know.
Next, you have to divide all of the masses by the M r of the element. Now, if you can you
should try and simplify the ratios. If all of the moles are less than 1 you have to divide all
of the moles by the smallest number. Lastly, you have to fill the molar ratio into the
equation.

237g of Na2S2O3 reacts with 109.5g of HCl to make 175.5g of NaCl, 48g of S, 96g of
SO2 and 27g of water. Balance the equation using reacting masses.
 Topic 3a: Amounts of Substances

Monday 13th of April 2020

Na 2 S2 O 3+ 2 Hcl → 2 NaCl+ S+ SO 2 + H 2 O

4g of KHCO3 decomposes on heating to form 2.76g of K2CO3, 0.88g of CO2 and 0.36g
of water. Balance the equations using reacting masses.

2 KHCO3 → K 2 CO 3+CO 2 + H 2 O