Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Language of Chemistry
Language of Chemistry
LANGUAGE OF CHEMISTRY
Before starting with any complex calculations or reactions, one needs to know the Language of Chemistry-
ranging from basics of units to balancing of equations.
www.plancess.com
3.2 Language of Chemistry
1.2 Unit
A unit is the standard of comparison for measurements. Units are essential for presenting a measured
quantity correctly.
According to SI system there are seven fundamental units and two supplementary units.
Supplementary SI Units
All other quantities (for example speed, volume, pressure etc.) can be derived from these fundamental
quantities.
The metric system is a decimal system. Different units for physical quantities are expressed in powers of ten.
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.3
1. Mass and weight: Mass of a system represents the amount of matter present in a system, while
weight represents the force that gravity exert on that system (or object). These terms are often
used interchangeably, although strictly speaking, they are different quantities.
www.plancess.com
3.4 Language of Chemistry
The SI base unit of mass is kilogram (kg) but in chemistry unit gram (g) is more convenient and
frequently used. 1 kg = 1000 g = 1 × 103 g
2. Volume: Volume of a body = (length)3
Because in SI system, unit of length is meter, so SI unit of volume is m3.
1 cm3 = (1 × 10–2 m)3 = 1 × 10–6 m3
1 dm3 = (1 × 10–1 m)3 = 1 × 10–3 m3
3. Density: Density (d) i.e., density of a substance is the mass of its unit volume. Density is an
intensive property. Intensive properties are those properties which does not change when we
divide the system,for example temperature after dividing the system the temperature of the two
new formed system will remain the same but mass is an extensive properties ,if we divide the
system then mass of the two systems changes.
The SI unit of density is kg/m3 but g/cm3 or g/mL are more commonly used, for expressing the
densities of solids and liquids.
1 g/cm3 = 1 g/mL = 1000 kg/m3
1 g/L = 0.001 g/mL
4. Temperature: Temperature of a body represents the intensity of heat energy associated with it.
Three scales are most common for measuring the temperature.
(a) Degree Farenheit (°F) : On this scale, freezing and boiling points of water are 32°F and
212°F respectively. These two limits are divided into 180 divisions.
(b) Degree Celsius (°C) : On this scale, freezing and boiling points of water are 0°C and 100°C
respectively and this range between freezing and boiling points of water is divided into 100
parts.
(c) Kelvin (K and not °K) : It is absolute temperature scale and is SI unit of temperature. 0 K is
the lowest temperature that can be attained theoretically.
Following relations can be used directly to interconvert temperature in different units.
Here C and F are temperatures in °C and °F respectively.
Also, K = C + 273.15
Accuracy represents closeness to the true value whereas Precision is agreement between a groups of
measurement.
In simple words, Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity that was
measured while precision tells us how closely individual measurements agree with each other.
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.5
Suppose for example our true value is 20 units. In two sets of experiments let us suppose our values
are(18,18.5,19,19.3,19.7) and (12,12.5,12.7,13,11.9) then first set is accurate and second set is more precise.
The unit which are derived from the fundamental units or basic units are called derived units. Some
example of derived units are listed below:
Non-metric Units:
(a) Non-metric Units of Length:
Units of length for large distances:
Light year (ly):
It is equal to the distance travelled by light in vacuum in one year. i.e. 1 ly = 9.46 ×1015m.
Astronomical Unit (A.U.):
One astronomical unit is equal to the mean distance between the earth and the sun.
1 A.U. = 1.496 × 1011 metres
Parsec: 1 Parsec = 3.26 ly = 3.08 ×1016 m
Units of length for small distances.
Angstrom (Å) : 1Å = 10–10 m
Fermi (fm) :1fm = 10–15 m
(b) Non-metric Unit of Mass:
Atomic mass unit (amu):
It is defined as of mass of one carbon-12 atom, thus 1 amu = 1.67 ×10–27 kg
www.plancess.com
3.6 Language of Chemistry
Significant figures are meaningful digits which are known with certainty. The uncertainty is indicated by
writing the certain digits and the last uncertain digit. Thus, if we write a result as 11.2 mL, we say the 11
is certain and two is uncertain and the uncertainty would be +1 in the last digit.
Rules for determination of significant figures:
1. All non-zero digits are significant.
For example:
3.14 has three significant figures; two certain +1 uncertain.
5.153 has four significant figures; three certain +1 uncertain.
0.5153 has four significant figures; three certain +1 uncertain.
2. The zeros to the right of the decimal point are significant.
For example:
3.0 has two significant figures; one certain +1 uncertain digit.
3.10 has three significant figures; two certain +1 uncertain digit.
3.140 has four significant figures; three certain +1 uncertain digit.
3. The zero to the left of the first non-zero digit in a number are not significant. The merely
represent the position of a decimal point.
For example:
0.02 g has one significant figure.
0.002 g has one significant figure.
4. The zeros between two non-zero digits are also significant.
For example:
6.01 has three significant figures; two certain and last digit uncertain.
6.001 has four significant figures; three certain and last digit uncertain.
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.7
www.plancess.com
3.8 Language of Chemistry
(c) If the digit of be rounded off is equal to five, the preceding number is not changed if it is even
and increased by one, if it is odd.
For example:
3.25 is rounded off to 3.2
(Preceding digit 2 is even)
2.35 is rounded off to 2.4
(Preceding digit 3 is odd)
(a) Rule 1: In addition and subtraction, the result should be reported to the same number of decimal
places as that of the term with the least number of decimal places.
(b) Rule 2: In multiplication and division, the results should be reported to the same number of
significant figures as the least precise term used in calculation.
One should not calculate to a degree of accuracy greater than required.
2. Chemical Equation
1. Substances which take part in chemical reaction (i.e., starting material, reactants) are usually
written on left hand side and substances formed as a result of chemical reaction (i.e., products)
are written on right hand side. The reactants and products are separated by an arrow head mark
(→) which starts from reactant and points towards the products. Sign of equal to (=) may also be
used in place of arrow head mark.
2. Each reactant or the product is separated from one another by using plus sign (+) in between
them.
3. Now the number of atoms of the substances on both sides are equalized. This is known a balanced
equation.
Example: (i) Magnesium bums with oxygen and form magnesium oxide.
Note: Magnesium burns in air with a brilliant white light, and for this reason. It is often used in
flares and fireworks.
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.9
PLANCESS CONCEPTS
the appearance of green Cr . The more alcohol the person has consumed, the greater the
3+
PLANCESS CONCEPTS
Vipul Singh
AIR 1, NCO
(iii) When potassium chlorate is heated it is decomposed to give potassium chloride and oxygen.
KClO3 → KCl + O2 (Skeleton)
www.plancess.com
3.10 Language of Chemistry
(iv) When hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium carbonate, calcium chloride and water are formed
and carbon dioxide gas is given out.
CaCO3 + HCl → CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O(Skeleton)
(1) The reactants appear on the left, and the products appear on the right. The arrow joining them
indicates the direction of reaction.
(2) An integer precedes the formula of each substance. These numbers are known as stoichiometric
coefficients. The quantitative relation among reactants and products is known as stoichiometry.
The stoichiometric coefficient for H2 in this equation is three and that of NH3 is two. When no
number appears, we understand that the stoichiometric coefficient is one. The stoichiometric
coefficient for N2 in this equation is one.
(3) The stoichiometric coefficients in a chemical equation are the set of smallest integers that gives a
balanced equation.
(4) Charge is conserved. In this equation, all participants are neutral species, so charge is conserved
regardless of the stoichiometric coefficients. For reactions that include ions, however, charge
conservation must be explicitly addressed.
(5) Stoichiometric coefficients indicates relative numbers of molecules involved in the reaction.
Note: When the Haber synthesis is carried out industrially, immense numbers of molecules are
involved, but for every one molecule of N2 that reacts, three of H2 react and two of NH3 are
produced.
Theoretical yield is always more than experimental yield.
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.11
The number of atoms on the both sides of arrow head marks should be equal in a chemical equation.
Such equation is called balanced equation. The equation can be balanced by two methods.
(1) Hit and trial method (2) Partial equation method
1. Hit and Trial Method:
There is no definite rule for balancing an equation by this method and, therefore, it requires a
good deal of skill and practice. The equation is balanced by hit and trial method in the following
steps:
(i) First of all write the skeleton equation for the reaction and count the number of atoms of each
substance on either side of the equation.
(ii) Balance the atoms of the elements which occurs at minimum number of places on both the sides
of equation.
(iii) When elementary gases like oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen etc. appear as a reactant or a product,
these gases are first kept in atomic state. Later on the whole equation is multiplied by two and
the atomic equation is made molecular.
Example:
Acetylene gas burns in air producing carbon dioxide and water.
The skeleton equation of the above reaction:
C2H2 + O → CO2 + H2O
Here first of all balance carbon, then hydrogen and in the end balance oxygen atom.
(a) To balance carbon atoms, multiply the molecule CO2 by two
C2H2 + O → 2CO2 + H2O
(b) Number of hydrogen atoms are same on both sides, but there are five oxygen atom on right hand
side and there is only one oxygen atom on left hand side. Hence multiply the atom O by five on
left hand side.
C2H2 + 5O → 2CO2 + H2O
www.plancess.com
3.12 Language of Chemistry
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.13
(ii) The reaction may be assumed to take place in the following stages
Cl2 + H2O → HCl + HClO ………….(1)
(iii) In get order to cancel the intermediate products which do not appear in final equation multiply
equation (1), (2) and (3) by three.
3Cl2 + 3H2O → 3HCl + 3HClO ………….(5)
Illustration 1: Write balanced chemical equations from the following word equations. Include the
physical state of each element or compound.
(a) Sodium metal plus water yields hydrogen gas and an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.
Sol.
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) H2(g) + 2NaOH(aq)
(Sodium) (Water) (Hydrogen Gas) (Sodium Hydroxide)
(b) Potassium chlorate when heated yields potassium chloride plus oxygen gas. (Ionic compounds
are solids.)
Sol.
www.plancess.com
3.14 Language of Chemistry
(c) An aqueous sodium chloride solution plus an aqueous silver nitrate solution yields a silver
chloride precipitate (solid) and a sodium nitrate solution.
Sol.
(d) An aqueous phosphoric acid solution and an aqueous calcium hydroxide solution yields water
and solid calcium phosphate.
Sol.
Illustration 2: Either the following chemical equations presents correct balanced chemical equation.
Sol. (1) No. First reaction is not correct. Here it is not specified that the acid used is dilute or
concentrated and moreover physical state of reactant is also not mentioned.
Thus, correct balanced equation will be :
3H3PO 4 (aq)+ 3Ca(OH)2 (aq) → CaCO3 (PO 4 )2 (s)+ 6H2 O(l)
Phosphoric Calcium Calcium Water
Acid Hydroxide Phosphate
(2) No. Second equation is also not correctly balanced as atoms of different elements are not same
in reactants and products. Moreover Physical state of reactants and products are not specified.
Thus, correct balanced equation will be
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.15
SUMMARY
Terminologies
Basic concepts
Symbol Symbol is the short that stands for the atom of a specific element.
Valency Valency is the combining capacity of an atom or a radical. It is equal
to the number of electron(s) lost/gained or shared combining with
another atom or radical. Some elements, like iron, mercury, lead,
show variable valencies.
Radical Radical is an atom or a group of atoms of the same or different
elements that behave as single unit and has positive or negative charge.
A radical with positive charge is a cation, e.g. NH+4 (ammonium ion),
Na+ (sodium ion) and a radical with negative charge is an anion, e.g.
Cl− (chloride), CO32 (carbonate).
www.plancess.com
3.16 Language of Chemistry
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.17
SOLVED EXAMPLES
Example.2. Why is the symbol S for sulphur, but Na for sodium and Si for silicon?
Sol. (i) Generally the first letter of the name of element is taken as the symbol for that element and
written in capitals.
(ii) As in case of sulphur we use symbol S. But in cases where the first letter has already adopted
there we use symbol derived from Latin names as in case of sodium we use symbol Na
(Natrium).
(iii) In some cases we take initial letter in capital together with small letter from its name as in
case of silicon we use symbol Si.
www.plancess.com
3.18 Language of Chemistry
Variable valency:
Certain metals exhibit more than one valency this is called as variable valency.
It is the combining capacity of an element in which the metal loses more electrons from a shell
next to valence shell in addition to electrons of valence shell.
E.g. (i) Iron when added to hydrochloric acid form iron (II) chloride Fe (II) Cl2. (FeCl2 )
(ii) Iron when heated with chloride forms iron (III) chloride (FeCl3)
If an element exhibits two different positive valencies then
(i) For the lower valency, use the suffix – OUS at the end of the name of the metal.
(ii) For the higher valency use a suffix – IC at the end of the name of the metal.
e.g.
Sol.
Example.5. What is a chemical formula? What is the rule for writing a formula correctly?
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.19
Sol.
(a) Acid radical: Negatively charged radical is called acid radical. e.g. Cl–, O2–
(b) Basic Radical: positively charged radical is called basic radical. e.g. K+, Na+
Sol.
www.plancess.com
3.20 Language of Chemistry
Sol. (a) A charged ion composed of two or more atoms covalently bounded that is known as Poly
atomic ion. That can be carbonate ( CO32− ) and sulphate ( SO24− )
(b) The fundamental laws which are involved in every equation are:
(i) A chemical equation consists of formulae of reactants connected by plus sign (+) and
arrow ( → ) followed by the formulae of products connected by plus sign (+).
(ii) The sign of an arrow ( → ) is to read ‘to form’. It also shows the direction in which the
reaction is predominant.
Example.9. Why an equation should be balanced? Explain your answer by giving a simple equation?
Sol. This can be explained by considering law of mass conservation, “matter can neither be created
nor can it be destroyed.”
This law will be applicable only if total no. of atoms on the reactants side is equal to total no. of
atoms on products side or the mass on the right side is equal to the mass on left side.
Thus, a chemical reaction should be always balanced.
e.g. KNO3 → KNO2 + O2
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.21
Sol.
(a) The atomic mass unit (amu) is defined as 1 th of the mass of an atom of carbon.
12
= 1.67 × 10−27 kg
1 gm mass = 6.02 × 1023 amu. And mass 1 kg mass = 6.02 × 1026 amu.
www.plancess.com
3.22 Language of Chemistry
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.23
Q.1. Write the basic and acid radicals of these compounds and then write the chemical formula.
(a) Barium sulphate (b) Bismuth nitrate
(c) Calcium bromide (d) Ferrous sulphide
(e) Chromium sulphate (f ) Calcium silicate
(g) Potassium ferrocyanide (h) stannic oxide
(i) Calcium silicate (j) Sodium zincate
(k) Magnesium phosphate (l) Stannic phosphate
(m) Sodium thiosulphate (n) Potassium manganate
(o) Nickel bisulphate
Q.2. Complete the following statements by selecting the correct option:
(a) The formula of a compound represents
(i) an atom, (ii) a particle
(iii) a molecule (iv) a combination
(b) The correct formula of aluminium oxide is
(i) AlO3 (ii) AlO2
(iii) Al2O3
(c) The valency of nitrogen in nitrogen dioxide NO2 is
(i) one (ii) two
(iii) three (iv) four
Q.3. Fill in the blanks
(a) Dalton used symbol for oxygen for hydrogen.
(b) Symbol represents atoms of an element.
(c) Symbolic expression for molecule is called
(d) Sodium chloride has two radicals. Sodium is radical while chloride is
radical.
(e) Valency of carbon in CH4 is in C2H6 in C2H4
and in C2H2 is
(f ) Valency of iron in FeCl2 is and FeCl3 it is
(g) Formula for iron (III) carbonate is
www.plancess.com
3.24 Language of Chemistry
Acid Radicals
→ Chloride Nitrate Sulphate Carbonate Hydroxide Phosphate
Basic Radicals ↓
Magnesium MgCl2 Mg(NO3)2 MgSO4 MgCO3 Mg(OH)2 Mg3(PO4)2
Sodium
Zinc
Silver
Ammonium
Calcium
Iron II
Potassium
Q.5. Sodium chloride reacts with silver nitrate to produce silver chloride and sodium nitrate.
(a) Write the equation.
(b) Check whether it is balanced, if not balance it.
(c) Find the weight of reactants and products.
(d) State the law which this equation satisfies.
Q.6. What information does the following chemical equation convey?
(a) Zn + H2SO 4 → ZnSO 4 + H2 (b) Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2
(g) PbS + O2 → PbO + SO2 (h) S + H2SO 4 → SO2 + H2O
(i) S + HNO3 → H2SO 4 + NO2 + H2O (j) MnO2 + HCl → MnCl2 + H2O + Cl2
(k) C + H2SO 4 → CO2 + H2O + SO2 (l) KOH + Cl2 → KCl + KClO + H2O
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.25
(m) NO2 + H2O → HNO2 + HNO3 (n) Pb3O 4 + HCl → PbCl2 + H2O + Cl2
(o) H2O + Cl2 → HCl + O2 (p) NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
(q) HNO3 + H2S → NO2 + H2O + S (r) P + HNO3 → NO2 + H2O + H3PO 4
(b) Potassium bicarbonate + sulphuric acid → potassium sulphate + carbon dioxide + water
(d) Chlorine + sulphur dioxide + water → sulphuric acid + hydrogen chloride
(h) Barium chloride + sulphuric acid → barium sulphate + hydrochloric acid
(l) potassium permanganate + hydrochloric acid → potassium chloride + manganese chloride
+ chlorine + water
(m) Aluminium sulphate + sodium hydroxide → sodium sulphate + sodium metaaluminate
+ water
(n) Aluminium + sodium hydroxide + water → sodium meta aluminate + hydrogen
(o) Potassium dichromate + sulphuric acid → Potassium sulphate + chromium sulphate +
water + oxygen
(p) Potassium dichromate + hydrochloric acid → potassium chloride + chromium chloride
+ water + chlorine
(q) Sulphur + nitric acid → sulphuric acid + nitrogen dioxide + water
(r) sodium chloride + manganese dioxide + sulphuric acid → Sodium hydrogen sulphate +
manganese sulphate + water + chlorine
www.plancess.com
3.26 Language of Chemistry
Q.9. Choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(a) Modern atomic symbols are based on the method proposed by
(i) Bohr (ii) Dalton
(iii) Berzelius (iv) Alchemist
(b) The number of carbon atoms in hydrogen carbonate radical is
(i) One (ii) Two
(iii) Three (iv) Four
(c) The formula of iron (III) sulphate is
(i) Fe3SO4 (ii) Fe(SO4)3
(iii) Fe2(SO4)3 (iv) FeSO4
(d) In water, the hydrogen – to – oxygen mass ratio is
(i) 1:8 (ii) 1:16
(iii) 1:32 (iv) 1:64
(e) Sodium carbonate is Na2CO3, that of calcium hydrogencarbonate will be
(i) CaHCO3 (ii) Ca(HCO3)2
(iii) Ca2HCO3 (iv) Ca(HCO3)3
Q.10. Correct the following statements
(a) A molecular formula represents an element.
(b) The molecular formula of water (H2O) represents 9 parts by mass of water.
(c) A balanced equation obeys the law of conservation of mass and so does an unbalanced
equation.
(d) A molecule of an element is always monoatomic.
(e) CO and Co both represents cobalt.
Q.11. Balance the following equations:
(i) ZnCO3 (s) + HCl(aq) → ZnCl2 (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2 (g)
(ii) NH4 Cl(s) + Ca(OH)2 (s) → CaCl2 (s) + NH3 (g) + H2 O(l)
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.27
∆
(iv) Cu(NO3 )2 (s) → CuO(s) + NO2 (g) + O2 (g)
∆
(v) Hg(NO3 )2 (s) → Hg(l) + NO2 (g) + O2 (g)
(ii) Ammonium sulphate + Calcium hydroxide → Calcium sulphate + Ammonia + water
(iii) Lead dioxide + Hydrochloric acid → Lead chloride + Water + Chlorine
(v) Iron + conc. Sulphuric acid → Iron (II) sulphate + Sulphur dioxide gas + Water.
Q.14. Balance the following equations.
(a) CaCO3 (s) + HCl(aq) → CaCl2 (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2 (g)
(c) MnO2 (s) + HCl(aq) → MnCl2 (aq) + H2O(l) + Cl2 (g)
(d) Na2CO3 (s) + H2SO 4 (aq) → Na2SO 4 (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2 (g)
www.plancess.com
3.28 Language of Chemistry
SOLUTIONS
Exercise 1 – For School Examinations
1.
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.29
Acid
Radicals →
Chloride Nitrate Sulphate Carbonate Hydroxide Phosphate
Basic
Radicals ↓
Magnesium MgCl2 Mg(NO3)2 MgSO4 MgCO3 Mg(OH)2 Mg3(PO4)2
Sodium NaCl NaNO3 Na2SO4 Na2CO3 NaOH Na3PO4
Zinc ZnCl2 Zn(NO3)2 ZnSO4 ZnCO3 Zn[OH]2 Zn3(PO4)2
Silver AgCl AgNO3 Ag2SO4 Ag2CO3 AgOH Ag3PO4
Ammonium NH4Cl NH4NO3 (NH4)2SO4 (NH4)2CO3 NH4OH (NH4)3PO4
Calcium CaCl2 Ca(NO3)2 CaSO4 CaCO3 Ca(OH)2 Ca3(PO4)2
Iron II FeCl2 Fe(NO3)2 FeSO4 FeCO3 Fe(OH)2 Fe3(PO4)2
Potassium KCl KNO3 K2SO4 K2CO3 KOH K2PO4
this is a displacement reaction in which anion of first compound replaces the cation of second
element.
(b) Yes, it is balanced
(c) Molecular mass of NaCl = (23 + 35.5)
= 58.5
Molecular mass of AgNO3 = (108+14+48)
= 170
Molecular Mass of AgCl= (108+35.5)
143.5
Molecular Mass of NaNO3 = (23+14+48) = 85
www.plancess.com
3.30 Language of Chemistry
(i) That magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride and hydrogen
gas.
(ii) 24g of magnesium react with 2(1+35.5) =73g of Hydrochloric acid to produce (24 + 71)
i.e. 95g of magnesium chloride.
(iii) That hydrogen produced at STP is 22.4 litres.
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.31
7.
sunlight
(o) H2O + 2Cl2 → 4HCl + O2 ↑
8.
(a) 2NaOH + H2SO 4 → Na2SO 4 + 2H2O
www.plancess.com
3.32 Language of Chemistry
www.plancess.com
Foundation for Chemistry 3.33
∆
(iii) 2NaNO3 → 2NaNO2 + O2 ↑
∆
(iv) 2Cu(NO3 )2 → 2CuO + 2NO2 + 3O2 ↑
∆
(v) Hg(NO3 )2 → Hg + 2NO2 + O2 ↑
www.plancess.com