Percent composition and chemical formula

ACTIVITY 45.98 g
REVIEW PROBLEM 1 %Na= x 100 %=43.38 %
 Cholesterol (C27H460) plays and important role in the synthesis of
105.99
important compounds in our body such as hormones but, if 12.01 g
%C= x 100 %=11.33 %
present in excess, can lead to cardiovascular disease. What is the 105.99
molecular mass of cholesterol? 48 g
ATOM NUMBE ATOMIC MASS (amu) %O= x 100 %=45.29 %
R MASS 105.99
(amu)  Note: Check your answers by adding them up (=100%)
C 27 12.01 27 (12.01) = 324.27
H 46 1.008 46 (1.008) = 46.368 CHECKPOINT
O 1 16 1 (16.00) = 16  Calculate the percent composition of Ethanol, C2H6O
Molecular Mass = 386.64 amu ANSWER: 52.13% C, 13.15% H, 34.72% O

REVIEW PROBLEM 2 2 EMPIRICAL AND MOLECULAR FORMULA

 Hydroxyapatite, Ca(PO4)6(OH)2, is the enamel that forms the
outer covering of the teeth. What is its formula mass?  In cases that the percent composition of a compound can be
ATOM NUMBE ATOMIC MASS (amu) obtained using its formula, the formula of the compound can also
R MASS be derived from its percent composition by mass.
(amu)
Ca 10 40.08 10(40.08) = 400.8 EMPIRICAL FORMULA
P 6 30.97 6(30.97) = 185.82  the formula that specifies the smallest whole number ratio of
H 24+2 = 16 26 (16) = 416.0 atoms of the elements in a compound.
26 o In most cases, it accurately describes the formula of an
O 2 1.008 2(1.008) = 2.016 ionic compound but, for covalent compounds, it only gives
Molecular Mass = 1004.6 amu
the ratio of the elements present in the substance.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
At the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
 What is the empirical formula of a compound containing 70.19%
 Calculate the percent composition of a compound and its formula.
lead, 8.14% carbon and 21.67% oxygen?
 Calculate the empirical formula from the percent composition of
Given: % lead = 70.19%; % carbon = 8.14% %; oxygen = 21.67%
a compound.
Find: empirical formula
 Calculate the molecular formula given molar mass.
SOLUTION:
1 PERCENT COMPOSITION FROM CHEMICAL FORMULAS
STEP 1: ASSUME THAT THE SAMPLE IS 100G SO THAT
 According to the law of definite proportion (AKA law of
THE GIVEN PERCENTAGE OF EACH ELEMENT IS THE
constant composition), the element in a compound is present in
MASS IN GRAMS OF THE ELEMENT.
a definite proportion by mass.
 Pb = 70.19g C = 8.14g O = 21.67g
o Therefore, the said composition of the elements determines
the identity of the compound.
STEP 2: CALCULATE THE NUMBER IF MOLES OF EACH
 The composition of the compound is commonly expressed as the
ELEMENT USING THE FORMULA.
percent by mass of the elements and is calculated as follows.
mass element
mass element mole element=
% element= x 100 % molar mass element
total masscompound
 The percent composition of a compound can also be determined 70.19 g
from its chemical formula. mole Pb= =0.339 mol
207.19 g/mol
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1 21.67 g
mole O= =1.35 mol
 Washing soda, Na 2CO3, is used in the manufacture of glass, pulp 16 g /mol
and paper. What is its percentage composition?
8.14 g
Given: Na 2CO3 mole C= =0.678 mol
Find: %Na; %C; %0 12.01 g /mol
SOLUTION:
STEP 1: CALCULATE THE MASS OF EACH ELEMENT AND STEP 3: GET THE RATIO OF THE ELEMENTS BY
THE TOTAL MASS OF THE COMPOUND. DIVIDING THE CALCULATED MOLES BY THE
Mass Na = 2 x 22.99 g = 45.98g SMALLEST QUANTITY.
Mass C = 1 x 12.01g = 12.01g 0.339 mol 1.35 mol
Mass O = 3 x 16g = 48g Pb= =1 O= =4
0.339 mol 0.339 mol
Total mass = 105.99g
STEP 2: CALCULATE THE PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION 0.678 mol
C= =2
BY MASS 0.339 mol
Therefore, the empirical formula is PbC2O4
 Percent composition and chemical formula
mass O = 1 x 16.00 amu = 16.00 amu
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3: 30.03 amu
 Find the empirical formula of the oxide formed when 1.09g of
aluminum burns completely in oxygen, producing 2.06 g of the STEP 2. GET THE VALUE OF N, WHERE N IS THE
oxide. MULTIPLIER OF THE SUBSCRIPTS OF THE EMPIRICAL
Given: mass aluminum = 1.09 g mass oxide = 2.96 g FORMULA:
Find: empirical formula molecular mass 181 amu
n= = =6
SOLUTION: empirical mass 30.03 amu
STEP 1: CALCULATE THE NUMBER OF MOLE OF THE
ELEMENTS FOUND IN THE COMPOUND USING THE STEP 3. DERIVE THE MOLECULAR FORMULA USING
FORMULA molecular formula = empirical formula x n
mass element molecular formula = (CH2O)6 = 𝐂𝟔𝐇𝟏𝟐𝐎𝟔
mole element=
molar mass element Therefore, the molecular formula is 𝐂𝟔𝐇𝟏𝟐𝐎𝟔
1.09 g
mole Al= =0.0404 mol SAMPLE PROBLEM 5:
26.98 g /mol
 What is the molecular formula of a compound containing 24.27%
0.97 g
mole O= =0.0606 mol carbon, 4.07% hydrogen and 71.65% chlorine by mass. The
16.00 g /mol molecular mass of the compound is 98.96 amu.
 Note: the mas of oxygen is the difference of the masses of oxide Given:
and aluminum % carbon = 24.27%
% hydrogen = 4.07%
STEP 2: GET THE RATIO OF THE ELEMENTS BY % chlorine = 71.65 %
DIVIDING THE CALCULATED MOLES BY THE Molecular mass = 98.96 amu
SMALLEST QUANTITY Find: molecular mass
0.0404 mol
Al= =1 mol SOLUTION:
0.0404 mol STEP 1: GET THE EMPIRICAL FORMULA OF THE
0.0606 mol COMPOUND
O= =1.5 mol
0.0404 mol 24.27 g
mole C= =2.02 mol
12.01 g /mol
STEP 3: MULTIPPLY THE RATIO BY 2 TO MAKE THE
71.65 g
SUBSCRIPT A WHOLE NUMBER mole Cl= =2.02 mol
 Therefore, the empirical formula is Al2O3 35.45 g /mol
4.07 g
MOLECULAR FORMULA mole H = =4.03 mol
1.01 g/mol
MOLECULAR FORMULA
 the formula that specifies both relative and the actual number of  Get the ratio of the elements.
atoms in a molecule is the molecular formula. 2.02mol
C= =1 mol
o Consider the sample below to see the difference between 2.02mol
empirical formula and molecular formula. 4.03mol
H= =2 mol
MOLECULA NAME EMPIRICAL 2.02 mol
R FORMULA FORMULA 2.02mol
C 2H 4 Ethylene (Ethene) CH2 Cl= =1 mol
2.02mol
C 3H 6 Propylene (Propene) CH2
C6H12O6 Glucose CH2O
 The empirical formula is CH2Cl
SAMPLE PROBLEM4:
STEP 2. GET THE EMPIRICAL FORMULA MASS.
 The empirical formula of the compound is CH2O and its
mass C = 1 x 12.01 amu = 12.01 amu
molecular mass is 181 amu, what is its molecular formula?
mass H = 2 x 1.01 amu = 2.02 amu
mass Cl = 1 x 35.45 amu = 35.45 amu
Given: empirical formula = CH2O
49.48 amu
molecular mass of CH2O = 181 amu
Find: molecular formula
STEP 3. GET THE VALUE OF N
SOLUTION: molecular mass 98.96 amu
n= = =2
STEP 1: GET THE EMPIRICAL FORMULA MASS empirical mass 49.48 amu
(EMPIRICAL FORMULA: CH2O)
mass C = 1 x 12.01 amu = 12.01 amu STEP 4. DERIVE THE MOLECULAR FORMULA USING,
mass H = 2 x 1.01 amu = 2.02 amu molecular formula = empirical formula x n
 Percent composition and chemical formula
molecular formula = (CH2Cl)2 = C2H4Cl2
Therefore, the molecular formula of the compound is C2H4Cl2

CHECKPOINT
 What is the molecular formula of a substance containing 43.64%
phosphorus, and 56.36% oxygen by mass? Its molecular mass is
141.9 g
Ans. P2O5

SUMMARY
 The percentage composition of an element in a compound is
equal to the mass of the element divided by the total mass of
the compound multiplied by 100
mass element
% element= x 100 %
total masscompound
 The empirical formula of a compound gives the simplest
whole-number ratio of the element in the compound.
 The molecular formula of a compound gives the number of
atoms of each element present in one molecule of the
compound and is always an integer multiple of the empirical
formula.

LEARNING TASK
Instructions: Answer the following and show your solutions.
Your final answer should have 2 decimal places only
1.) Which of the following contains the least %O.
Note: Show solution for each compound.
a. N2O c. SO2 b. OF2 d. CO

2.) Calculate the percent composition of the following substances:

a. Quicklime, CaO
b. Pyrite, FeS2
LEARNING CHECK
 Instructions: Answer the following and show your solutions. Box
your final answer. Your final answer should have 2 decimal
places only
1. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in making
desserts, cakes, soft drinks and others. Its molecular
formula is C14H18O5. Determine the percent composition of
aspartame.

2. Determine the empirical formula and molecular formulas of

the following.
a) Epinephrine (adrenaline), a hormone secreted into the
bloodstream in times of danger or stress consisting of
59.0% C, 7.1% H, 26.2% O, and 7.7% N by mass.
With the molecular mass of 180 g.
b) Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer in
certain food containing 35.51% C, 4.77% H, 37.85%
O, 8.29% N, and 13.60% Na. With the molecular
mass of 169 g.
c) Ethylene glycol, used to lower the freezing point of
water, consists of 38.69% C, 9.76% H, and 51.55%
O. with the molecular mass of 62.08 g.