Chemical Calculations 31
Introduction
Rules for calculations
(a) Always work from first principles - formulas (unless stated) often confuse.
(b) Always show all the steps in your working, this reduces the chance of error. In examinations you
get marks for knowing how to do a calculation even if your answer is wrong.
(c) Never round-up or round-down a figure during a calculation - wait until you have the final answer.
(d) Always give mole calculation answers to 3 decimal places.
(e) Never simply write down an answer with no indication of where it came from. (If you do this in an
examination you will get no marks even if the answer is correct.)
(f) Never trust a calculator - try to do a rough approximation to check your answer. E.g. 17 × 0.279 =
4.743, to check multiply 17 × 0.3 = about 5 (you should be able to do this in your head, NO
CALCULATORS) this gives you a rough idea of the range in which the answer lies. So, if your
calculator says 474.3 you know that something is wrong.
Quantities of chemicals
Quantity Common units Meaning
Mass gram (g) Samples with the same mass give the same readings
kilogram (kg) on a balance
1kg = 1000g
Volume cubic centimetre (cm3) Samples with the same volume take up the same
litre (l or dm3) amount of space. Two liquids with the same volume
1 litre = 1dm3 = 1000cm3 for example, fill a measuring cylinder to the same
level
Amount mole (mol) Samples with the same amount of a chemical
contain the same number of atoms, molecules or
ions. There are as many atoms in one mole of carbon
as there are molecules in one mole of water.
Re-arranging formula
To re-arrange formula there is a simple rule: you can change any equation as much as you like as long
as you always do the same thing to both sides.
Mass
For example, Moles = is very useful if you want to find moles but what if you want to find
R.M.M.
R.M.M.?
You need to re-arrange the formula so that R.M.M. is standing alone on the left-hand side of the
equation.
Mass × R.M.M.
Multiply both sides by R.M.M. Moles × R.M.M. =
R.M.M.
Cancel out R.M.M. on the right-hand side Moles × R.M.M. = Mass
Moles × R.M.M. Mass
Divide each side by Moles =
Moles Moles
Mass
Cancel out Moles on the left-hand side R.M.M. =
Moles
Note that during this process we have shown how to work out Mass.
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
Powers of 10
A lot of scientific work deals with numbers that are very large or very small. It is convenient to have
a quick way of writing large numbers and small numbers. Powers of 10 do this job.
Positive powers Negative powers
1
10 = 10 10-1 = 1 ÷ 10 = 0.1
102 = 10 × 10 = 100 10-2 = 1 ÷ (10 × 10) = 0.01
103 = 10 × 10 × 10 = 1000 10-3 = 1 ÷ (10 × 10 × 10) = 0.001
and so on and so on
Note that Note that
102 + 102 = 2 × 102 = 200 10-1 + 10-1 = 2 × 10-1 = 0.2
but that but that
103 × 103 = 106 = 1 000 000 10-2 × 10-3 = 10-5 = 0.00001
Note also that
100 = 1
30 0.009 0.008
Calculations involving graphs 60 Concentration
0.0081 0.0071vs. time
90 0.0073 0.0063
120
0.009 0.0066 0.0056
When drawing graphs there are five points to 150
0.008 0.00595 0.005
remember:
Concentration mol/dm-3
180 0.0053 0.0042
0.007
1. Draw axes and label them carefully. 210 0.00475 0.0036
0.006
240 0.00435 0.003
2. Use a suitable scale to give you the largest 270 0.0039 0.0027
0.005
possible graph on the grid provided. 300 0.0035 0.0023
0.004
3. Unless it is stated or observed, (i.e. from 330 0.00335 0.00215
0.003
the information given it is obvious that 360 0.0032 0.002
both initial readings are zero), that the 0.002
graph passes through the origin, scales do 0.001
not have to start at zero. 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
4. Draw the best straight line or curve Time/s
through the points, i.e. that on which the
most number of points lie. If you have to
draw more than one graph on the same axes Remember
make sure that each graph is clearly
A graph going from top left to bottom right has a
labelled and that they are easily
negative gradient.
distinguishable from each other. Use
different coloured pens or mark one set of
points with crosses (+) and the other set
with circles (o).
5. Mark clearly on your graph the information
that you are required to find by drawing in A graph going from bottom left to top right has a
lines to the x and y axes where appropriate positive gradient.
or by drawing in gradient lines, etc.
When you are working out the gradient of a graph
y 2 - y1
use the formula: where x1 and y1 are
x 2 - x1
the co-ordinates of the point with the lowest x
value and x2 and y2 are the co-ordinates of the
higher x value.
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
1. Calculation of the relative molecular mass of a compound.
Worked examples
(a) Work out the relative molecular mass (R.M.M.) of sodium chloride, NaCl.
In 1 molecule of this compound there is 1 atom of sodium, Na, and 1 atom of chlorine, Cl.
From your data book: the relative atomic mass (R.A.M.) of Na = 23.0, Cl = 35.45.
So, R.M.M. of NaCl = 23.0 + 35.45 + 58.45
(b) Work out the R.M.M. of hydrated magnesium sulphate, MgSO4.7H2O
In 1 molecule of this compound there is 1 mole of magnesium sulphate, containing 1 atom of
magnesium, Mg, 1 atom of sulphur, S, and 4 atoms of oxygen, O, and also 7 moles of water,
containing 14 atoms of hydrogen, H, and 7 atoms of oxygen, O.
From your data book: R.M.M. Mg = 24.31; S = 32.06; O = 16.00; H = 1.008.
So, R.M.M. MgSO4.7H2O = 24.31 + 32.06 + (4 × 16.00) + (14 × 1.008) + (7 × 16.00) =246.5
Questions
Using your data book work out the relative molecular masses of the following compounds:
(a) KBr
(b) Na2CO3.10H2O
2. Calculation of the percentage by mass of elements in a compound.
Worked examples
(a) Calculate the percentage by mass of carbon, C, and oxygen, O, in carbon dioxide, CO2.
In 1 molecule of carbon dioxide there is 1 atom of carbon, C, and 2 atoms of oxygen, O.
From you data book: R.A.M. C = 12.01; O = 16.00. ∴R.M.M. CO2 = 12.01 + (2 × 16.00) = 44.01
RAM C 12
%C in CO2 = × 100 = × 100 = 27.3%
RAM CO 2 44
RAM O 2 × 16.00
%O in CO2 = × 100 = × 100 = 72.7%
RAMCO 2 44
(b) Calculate the percentage by mass of water in hydrated aluminium chloride, AlCl3.6H2O.
In 1 molecule of hydrated aluminium chloride there is 1 molecule of aluminium chloride and 6
molecules of water..
From your data book: R.M.M. AlCl3 = 133.3; H2O = 18.0.
∴ R.M.M. AlCl3.6H2O = 133.3 + (6 × 18) = 241.3
6 × RMM water 6 × 18
%H2O in AlCl3.6H2O = × 100 = × 100 = 44.76%
RMM AlCl 3 .6H 2 O 241.3
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
Questions
Calculate the percentage by mass of
(a) sulphur and oxygen in SO3
(b) magnesium and nitrogen in Mg3N2
3. Calculation of the number of moles in a given mass of a compound.
Worked examples
(a) Calculate the number of moles in 5.61g of potassium hydroxide, KOH.
R.A.M. K = 39.1; H = 1.008; O = 16.00. ∴ R.M.M. = 39.1 + 16.00 + 1.008 = 56.1
mass 5.61
Number of moles = = = 0.100
RMM 56.1
(b) Calculate the number of moles in 305.38g of hydrated barium chloride, BaCl2.2H2O.
R.A.M. Ba = 137.34; Cl = 35.45; H = 1.008; O = 16.00.
∴ R.M.M. = 137.34 + (2 × 35.45) + (4 × 1.008) + (2 × 16.00) = 244.3
mass 305.38
Number of moles = = = 1.250
RMM 244.30
Questions
Calculate the number of moles in
(a) 58.5g of sodium chloride.
(b) 50.0g of calcium carbonate
4. Calculation of the formula of a compound.
Worked examples
(a) What is the formula of the oxide formed when 2.30g of sodium combine with 0.80g of oxygen?
R.A.M. Na = 23.00; O = 16.00
2.30 0.80
Moles of Na = = 0.100 ; Moles of O = = 0.050
23.0 16.0
Mole ratio must be a whole number so divide both answers by the smallest number of moles.
0.100 0.050
Moles of Na = = 2; Moles of O = = 1
0.050 0.050
Formula is Na2O
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
(b) Calculate the empirical (lowest mole ratio) formula of a compound containing 20.00% magnesium,
26.70% sulphur and 53.30% oxygen.
Assume 100g of compound, mass of Mg = 20.00g, S = 26.70g, O = 53.30g
R.A.M. Mg = 24.30; O = 16.00; S = 32.10
20.00 53.30 26.70
Moles Mg = = 0.823 ; Moles O = = 3.331 ; Moles S = = 0.831 ;
24.30 16.0 32.10
Divide by the smallest number of moles
0.823 3.331 0.831
Ratio moles Mg = = 1 : Moles O = = 4 : Moles S = = 1
0.823 0.823 0.823
Formula is MgSO4
(c) A hydrocarbon (a compound containing carbon and hydrogen only) contains 80.00% carbon. Its
relative molecular mass is 30.00. Calculate (i) its empirical formula, (ii) its molecular formula.
Assume 100g; Mass of C = 80.00g; Mass of H = 100.00 - 80.00 = 20.00g
R.A.M. C = 12.00; H = 1.00
20.00 80.00
(i) Moles of H = = 20.000 ; Moles of C = = 6.666
1.00 12.00
Divide by the smallest number of moles
20.000 6.666
Ratio moles H = = 3 : Moles C = = 1
6.666 6.666
Empirical formula is CH3
(ii) RMM of empirical formula CH3 = 12.00 + (3 × 1.00) = 15.0 but actual RMM is 30
Actual RMM 30
Therefore multiplication factor = = = 2
Empirical formula RMM 15
Molecular formula is C2H6
Questions
(a) What is the formula of the compound formed when
(i) 7.77g of iron, Fe, combine with 2.23g of oxygen, O?
(ii)18.46g of carbon combine with 1.52g of hydrogen?
(b) What is the formulae of the compounds formed in the following reactions
(i) 3.400g of calcium form 9.435g of a chloride?
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
(ii)4.662g of lithium form 5.328g of a hydride?
(c) Calculate the empirical formulae of the compounds with the following compositions
(i) 35.00% nitrogen, 5.00% hydrogen, 60.00% oxygen
(iii) a carbohydrate containing 6.70% hydrogen and 53.30% oxygen.
(d) Calculate the empirical formula and deduce the molecular formula of
(i) a liquid of RMM 44, containing 54.50% carbon, 36.40% oxygen and 9.10% hydrogen
5. Calculations involving equations
Worked examples
(a) How many moles of iodine can be obtained from 0.2 moles of potassium iodate(V)?
First write the equation: KIO3(aq) + 5KI(aq) + 6HCl(aq) ⎯→ 3I2(aq) + 6KCl(aq) + 3H2O(l)
This tells us that 1 mole of KIO3 gives 3 moles of I2.
Therefore 0.2 mole of KIO3 gives 0.2 × 3 moles of I2 = 0.6 moles of I2
(b) What is the maximum mass of ethyl ethanoate that can be obtained from 13.20g of ethanol?
First write the equation: C2H5OH(l) + CH3COOH(l) ⎯→ CH3COOC2H5(l) + H2O(l)
RMM C2H5OH = 46.10; CH3COOC2H5 = 88.10
Two methods can be used to calculate the answer.
EITHER
1 mole of C2H5OH gives 1 mole of CH3COOC2H5
13.20
Moles of ethanol = = 0.286 = moles of ethyl ethanoate
46.10
Mass of ethyl ethanoate = 0.286 × 88.10 = 25.22g
OR
46.10g of ethanol gives 88.10g of ethyl ethanoate
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
88.10
So 1.00g of ethanol gives g of ethyl ethanoate = 1.911g
46.10
13.20g of ethanol gives 13.20 × 1.911 = 25.22g of ethyl ethanoate
One mole of any gas occupies 22.4dm3 at standard temperature and pressure (s.t.p)
OR
One mole of any gas occupies 24.0dm3 at room temperature and pressure (r.t.p)
(c) What volume of oxygen is needed for the complete combustion of 2dm3 of propane?
Write the equation: C3H8(g) + 5O2(g) ⎯→ 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l)
1 mole of propane requires 5 moles of oxygen for combustion, therefore
1 volume of propane requires 5 volumes of oxygen for combustion
2dm3 of propane require 5 × 2dm3 = 10dm3 of oxygen for combustion.
(d) What volume of hydrogen is obtained when 3.00g of zinc reacts with an excess of sulphuric acid
at s.t.p.?
Write the equation: Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) ⎯→ H2(g) + ZnSO4(aq)
3.00
RAM: Zn = 65.4; Moles of Zn = = 0.04587
65.40
1 mole of hydrogen occupies 22.4dm3 at s.t.p.
1 mole of zinc form 1 mole of hydrogen, therefore
0.04587 mole of Zn forms 0.04587 × 22.4dm3 = 1.028dm3 of hydrogen
(e) 20cm3 of ammonia are burned in an excess of oxygen at 110oC. 10cm3 of nitrogen and 30cm3 of
steam are formed. Deduce the formula for ammonia.
Let the formula of ammonia be NaHb.
b a b
The equation for combustion is: NaHb(g) + O2(g) ⎯→ N2(g) + H2O(g)
4 2 2
Volume of NaHb = 20cm3
a
Volume of N2(g) = × 20 = 10acm3 = 10cm3 formed, so a = 1
2
b
Volume of H2O(g) = × 20 = 10bcm3 = 30cm3 formed, so b = 3
2
The formula of ammonia is NH3
(f) From 23.05g of ethanol are obtained 33.04g of ethyl ethanoate by esterification with ethanoic
acid in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid. What is the percentage yield of the reaction?
Write the equation: C2H5OH(l) + CH3COOH(l) ⎯→ CH3COOC2H5(l) + H2O(l)
RMM C2H5OH = 46.10; CH3COOC2H5 = 88.10
So 46.01g of ethanol should form 88.10g of ethyl ethanoate
23.05
23.05g of ethanol should form × 88.10 = 44.05g of ethyl ethanoate
46.10
Actual mass obtained = 33.04g
Actual mass of product
Percentage yield = × 100
Calculated mass of product
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
33.04
Percentage yield = × 100 = 74.93%
44.05
Questions
(a) The pollutant, sulphur dioxide, can be removed from the air by the reaction
2CaCO3(s) + 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⎯→ 2CaSO4(s) + 2CO2(g)
What mass of calcium carbonate is needed to remove 10.0kg of sulphur dioxide?
(b) In the Solway process
NaCl(s) + NH3(g) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) ⎯→ NaHCO3(s) + NH4Cl(aq)
what volume of carbon dioxide, at r.t.p., is required to produce 1.00kg of sodium hydrogencarbonate?
(c) Phenol, C6H5OH, is converted to trichlorophenol, C6H2Cl3OH. If 488g of product are obtained from
250g of phenol, calculate the percentage yield.
(d) In the blast furnace, the overall reaction is
2Fe2O3(s) + 3C(s) ⎯→ 3CO2(g) + 4Fe(s)
What is the maximum mass of iron that can be obtained from 700 tonnes of iron(III) oxide and 70
tonnes of coke? (1 tonne = 1000kg)
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
Answers
1. (a) 39.1 + 79.9 = 119.0 (b) (2 x 22.99) + 12 + (3 x 16.0) + [((2 x 1) + 16) x 10)
= 286.1
2. (a) S = (32/80) x 100 = 40% (b) Mg = [(3 x 24)/101] x 100 = 72.3%
O = [(3 x 16)/80] x 100 = 60% N = [(14 x 2)/101] x 100 = 27.7%
3.(a) Moles = 58.5/58.5 = 1.000 mole (b) Moles = 50.00/100 = 0.500 moles
4.(a) (i) Moles Fe = 7.77/56 = 0.138; Moles O = 2.23/16 = 0.139
Ratio Fe:O = 1:1; Formula = FeO
(ii) Moles C = 18.46/12 = 1.53; Moles H = 1.52/1 = 1.52
Ratio C:H = 1:1; Formula = CH
(b) (i) Mass Cl = 9.435 - 3.400 = 6.035g
Moles Ca = 3.400/40 = 0.085; Moles Cl = 6.035/35.5 = 0.170
Ratio Ca:Cl = 0.085/0.085:0.170/0.085 = 1:2; Formula = CaCl2
(ii) Mass H = 5.328 - 4.662 = 0.666g
Moles Li = 4.662/7 = 0.666; Moles H = 0.666/1 = 0.666
Ratio Li:H = 1:1 Formula = LiH
(c) (i) Ratio N:H:O = 35/14:5/1:60/16 = 2.5:5.0:3.75 = 2.5/2.5:5.0/2.5:3.75/2.5 =
1:2:1.5
Multiply by 2 to give whole numbers; = 2:4:3 Formula = N2H4O3 (NH4NO3)
(ii) %C = 100 - (6.70+53.30) = 40.0; Ratio C:H:O = 40/12:6.7/1:53.3/16
= 3.33:6.67:3.33 = 1:2:1 Formula = CH2O
(d) (i) Ratio C:H:O = 54.5/12:36.4/16:9.1/1 = 4.54:2.275:9.1 = 2:1:4
Empirical formula = C2OH4 (C2H4O) Empirical mass = (12 x 2) + 16 + (4 x 1) =
44
Molecular formula = C2H4O
5. (a) Ratio CaCO3:SO2 = 1:1; Moles SO2 = 10 000/64 = 156.25 = moles
CaCO3
Mass CaCO3 = 156.25 x 100 = 15625g = 15.625Kg
(b) Ratio CO2:NaHCO3 = 1:1; Moles NaHCO3 = 1000/84 = 11.9
Volume of CO2 = 11.9 x 24 = 285.6 (286)dm3
(c) Ratio phenol:trip = 1:1; Moles phenol = 250/94 = 2.66; Expected yield = 2.66
x 197.5 = 525.35
Percentage yield = (488/525.35) x 100 = 92.9%
(d) Moles Fe2O3 = 700/160 = 4.375; moles C = 70/12 = 5.883; Limiting factor =
moles of coke. Maximum moles of Fe = (5.883 x 4)/3 = 7.778
Mass of Fe = 7.778 x 56 = 435.57 tonnes.
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
Chemical m,athematics.doc/unit 1 worksheets
