F4 Chemistry

Chapter 3 : Mole concept, Chemical Formulae

and Equations

Note 2 : Empirical Formula & Molecular Formula

Prepared by Mr. Brian

 Empirical Formula
- Chemical formula that shows the simplest ratio of atom of each element in a chemical
compound.
- A compound can be represented by two types of chemical formula.
(a) Empirical formula : Shows the simplest ratio of atoms in a substance.
(b) Molecular formula : Shows the actual number of atoms in a substance.

Compound Molecular Simplest ratio Empirical Is the empirical formula and

formula of atoms formula molecular formula similar?
Carbon dioxide CO2
Water H 2O
Ammonia NH3
Ethane C 2H6
Pentene C2H10
Ethanoic acid C2H4O2

Empirical formula can be prepared through two methods

(base on the reactivity of the element)

For element more reactive than hydrogen For element less reactive than hydrogen
(K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al & Zn) (Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Ag & Au)

Lid Metal
oxide
Thistle funnel Dry
hydrogen gas

Crucible Reactive Metal

Heat

Heat Zinc + Dilute Anhydrous

hydrochloric acid calcium chloride

Metal + Oxygen Metal oxide Metal oxide + Hydrogen Metal + Water

Precaution steps : Precaution steps :

. Lid is opened once in a while during heating. . Hydrogen gas is allowed to flow into the apparatus for
. Lid is opened and closed immediately. 5 to 10 minutes.
. Heating, cooling and weighing are repeated until a
. Gas comes out from the hole of combustion tube is tested.
constant mass is obtained. . Heating, cooling and weighing are repeated until a
constant mass is obtained.

Reasons :
. ............................................................................................. .
. ............................................................................................. .
. ............................................................................................. .
Reasons :
. ............................................................................................. .
. ............................................................................................. .
. ............................................................................................. .

- 1 -
Empirical Formula Experiments
1. Weigh the crucible and lid and record
the mass.
9. Cool the crucible and the content to
room temperature a�er the hea�ng is
completed.
10. Weigh the crucible and lid with the
product and record the mass.
11. Repeat hea�ng, cooling and weighing
un�l a constant mass is obtained.
- 2 -
2. Cut 10 cm of magnesium ribbon and
clean the magnesium ribbon with
sandpaper.
3. Roll the magnesium ribbon into a coil
and put into the crucible.
4. Weigh the crucible and lid with
magnesium ribbon and record the mass.
5. Place the crucible on a clay pipe triangle
on a tripod stand.
6. Heat the crucible strongly.
7. Li� the crucible lid once in a while using
a pair of tongs.
8. Close immediately the crucible lid a�er
li�ed.
Score A+ Question 1

1 (a) What is the meaning of empirical formula?

..........................................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]
(b) Table below shows the result of an experiment to determine the empirical formula of magnesium oxide.

Description Mass, g
Penerangan Jisim,g
Mass of crucible + lid
35.4
Jisim mangkuk pijar + penutup
Mass of crucible + lid + magnesium ribbon
37.8
Jisim mangkuk pijar + penutup + pita magnesium
Mass of crucible + lid + magnesium oxide
39.4
Jisim mangkuk pijar + penutup + magnesium oksida

(i) Base on the table, calculate the mass of

Magnesium :

Oxygen :

[ 1 mark ]
(ii) Calculate the mole ratio of magnesium atoms to oxygen atoms.
[Relative atomic mass : Mg, 24; O, 16]

[ 2 marks ]
(iii) Determine the empirical formula of magnesium oxide

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]
(iv) Why does the crucible lid need to be opened once in a while during the experiment?

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]
(v) How to ensure all magnesium has been completely reacted?

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]
(c) Draw an apparatus set-up to carry out this experiment.

[ 2 marks ]
- 3 -
(d) (i) State another metal oxide which the empirical formula can be determined by using
the same method.

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]
(ii) State why the empirical formula of silver oxide cannot be determined by using the
same method.

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]

- 4 -
• For metal less reactive than hydrogen – Reduction of metal oxide by
hydrogen gas

metal oxide + hydrogen gas  Metal + Water

• Procedure

a) Weigh the glass tube and record the b) Put some copper(II) oxide powder into
mass. the glass tube.
c) Weigh the glass tube with copper(II)
oxide powder and record the mass.

g) Let hydrogen gas flow into the tube

for 10 minutes before hea�ng.
h) Heat the copper(II) oxide strongly
i) Stop hea�ng when the black solid
completely turns brown.
d) Fill a boiling tube with water and close it
j) Con�nue flow the hydrogen gas when
with a stopper that connect to the glass
the brown solid cools to room temp.
tube and clamp it.
k) Repeat hea�ng, cooling and weighing
e) Add zinc granule into another boiling
un�l a constant mass is obtained.
tube.
f) Add hydrochloric acid into the boiling
tube and close it with a stopper that
connect to another end of the glass tube
and clamp it.

- 5 -
Score A+ Question 2

(a) (i) State the name of two reactants to produce the hydrogen gas into the glass tube

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]
(ii) Write the chemical equation for the reaction in (a)(i).

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 2 marks ]
(iii) State one precaution that must be taken before heating of M oxide.

..............................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]

Description Mass, g
Penerangan Jisim,g
Mass of combustion tube + asbestos paper
36.50
Jisim tiub pembakaran + kertas asbestos
Mass of combustion tube + asbestos paper + M oxide
37.30
Jisim tiub pembakaran + kertas asbestos + oksida M
Mass of combustion tube + asbestos paper + M 37.14
Jisim tiub pembakaran + kertas asbestos + M

(b) Base on the table, determine the empirical formula of M oxide.

[Relative atomic mass : M, 64; O, 16]

[ 3 marks ]

- 6 -
(c) (i) Write a chemical equation for M oxide and hydrogen gas.

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 2 marks ]
(ii) Suggest one metal oxide that its empirical formula is determined by using the same
method.

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]
(iii) Why this process is not suitable to be used to determine the empirical formula of
aluminium oxide?

..............................................................................................................................................
[ 1 mark ]
(iv) Draw an apparatus set up to determine the empirical formula of magnesium oxide.

[ 2 marks ]

- 7 -
 Question 1 Question 2

The table shows the mass of elements M and O

in an oxide, and relative atomic mass of M and O.
Element M O
Mass (gram) 2.4 1.6
Relative atomic mass 48 16
[RAM : M=310.5; O=16]
Solution Find the empirical formula of M oxide
Solution

Empirical formula is ......................... . Empirical formula is .......................... .

Question 3 Question 4

1.08 g of aluminium combines with 0.96 g of 5.95 g of tin metal reacts with oxygen to form
oxygen to form an oxide. What is the empirical 7.55 g of tin oxide. Determine the empirical
formula of the oxide. formula of the compound.
[RAM : Al, 27; O, 16] [RAM : Sn, 119; O, 16]

Solution Solution

Empirical formula is ......................... . Empirical formula is ......................... .

- 8 -
 Question 5 Question 6

Sulphuric acid contains 2.04% hydrogen, 32.65% Boric acid contains 4.8% hydrogen, 17.7% boron
sulphur and the rest is oxygen. Determine the and the rest is oxygen. Determine the empirical
empirical formula of the compound. formula of the compound.
[RAM : H, 1; S, 32; O, 16] [RAM : H, 1; B, 11; O, 16]
Solution Solution

Empirical formula is ......................... . Empirical formula is .......................... .

Question 7 Question 8

10.2 g of vanadium metal combines with 8 g of x g of iron combines with 5.04 g of oxygen to
oxygen to form an oxide with empirical formula form an oxide with empirical formula Fe 2O3 .
of V2 O5 . Find the RAM of vanadium. Determine the value of x.
[RAM : O, 16] [RAM : Fe, 56; O, 16]

Solution Solution

- 9 -
 Question 9 Question 10

A carbon compound has an empirical formula of An empirical formula of CH2O has a molar mass
C2H5 and a relative molecular mass of 58. Find of 180. Find the molecular formula of the
molecular formula of the compound. compound.
[RAM : H, 1; C, 12] [RAM : C, 12; H, 1; O, 16]
Solution Solution

Molecular formula is ......................... . Molecular formula is .......................... .

Question 11 Question 12

11 g of a carboxylic acid contains 6 g of carbon,
1 g of hydrogen and the rest is oxygen. If the
relative molecular mass of the carboxylic acid
is 88, find its molecular formula.
[RAM : C, 12; H, 1; O, 16]
Solution
A carbon compound has 84.5% of carbon and
15.5% of hydrogen. If the molar mass of the
compound is 142. Find the molecular formula
of the compound.
[RAM : C, 12; H, 1]
Solution

Molecular formula is ......................... . Molecular formula is .......................... .

- 10 -
Question 13
A hydrocarbon X contains 85.7% of carbon and
the rest is hydrogen. 4.2 g of the X occupies a
volume of 3.36 dm3 at stp.
[RAM : H, 1; C, 12][stp : 22.4 dm3 mol-1 ]
(a) Determine the empirical formula of X.
(b) Determine the relative molecular mass of X.
(c) Determine the molecular formula of X.
Solution
Molecular formula is ......................... .
- 11 -
Question 14
A hydrocarbon Q contains 80% of carbon and
20% of hydrogen. 6.0 g of the Q occupies a
volume of 4.8 dm3 at room condition.
[RAM : H, 1; C, 12][room : 24.0 dm3 mol-1 ]
(a) Determine the empirical formula of Q.
(b) Determine the relative molecular mass of Q.
(c) Determine the molecular formula of Q.
Solution
Molecular formula is .......................... .