16.

Fundamental chemistry
Valency, Molecular weight & Equivalent weight of elements and compounds.
Normality, Molarity, Molality.
-------------------------------------
Valency: The combining capacity of an atom with another is known as valency. The
number of bonds that an atom can form as part of a compound is expressed by the
valency of the element.

We all know how electrons in an atom are arranged in shells/orbitals. Valence electrons are
those electrons which are present in the outermost orbit of the atom. From the Bohr-bury
scheme, we can say that the outermost shell can contain a maximum of 8 electrons. Only a little
chemical activity is observed when the outermost shell is completely filled. We can also say that
it’s combining capacity becomes zero.

Noble gases have a completely filled outermost shell and that’s why they are least reactive.
Other element’s reactivity depends upon their ability to attain the noble gas configuration.

If the outermost shell has 8 electrons then the element is said to have a complete octet. By
gaining, sharing and losing the electrons the atoms complete their outermost orbital and make
an octet.

The capacity of an atom is described by the total number of electrons lost, gained or shared
to complete its octet and it also determines the valency of the atom.

How to Find Valency of Elements?

As we know, the number of electrons in the outermost shell of hydrogen is 1, and
in magnesium, it is 2. Therefore the valency of hydrogen is 1 as it can easily lose 1 electron
and become stable. On the other hand, that of magnesium is 2 as it can lose 2 electrons easily
and also attain stability.

Furthermore, it is not only determined when an atom loses an electron. For example, fluorine
has 7 electrons in its outermost orbital. It is hard to lose 7 electrons and so it completes its
octet by gaining 1 electron. Since it gains 1 electron, its valency is 1. In the periodic table,
the elements in the same group have the same valency.

For example, all the elements in group 8 have 8 electrons and completely filled orbitals, that
is why the valency of all the elements in this group is zero.
 Sharing of electron between Li & F

Valency of First 10 Elements

Let us look at the valency of the first 10 elements of the periodic table.

Element Atomic Number Valency

Valency of Hydrogen 1 1

Valency of Helium 2 0

Valency of Lithium 3 1

Valency of Beryllium 4 2

Valency of Boron 5 3

Valency of Carbon 6 4

Valency of Nitrogen 7 3

Valency of Oxygen 8 2

Valency of Fluorine 9 1

Valency of Neon 10 0

Solved Example

Question: Calculate the valency of phosphorus in phosphorus pentoxide.

Solution: In Phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), two atoms of phosphorus have combined with five
atoms of oxygen.
5 x 2 = 10 valency units
Therefore, one atom of phosphorus will have 10/2 = 5 valency units
So the valency of phosphorus in P2O5 is 5.
Molecular mass
Molecular mass of an element is defined as the sum of the masses of the elements
present in the molecule. Molecular mass is obtained by multiplying the atomic mass of
an element with the number of atoms in the molecule and then adding the masses of
all the elements in the molecule. Let us see an example: carbon dioxide.
The molecular mass of carbon dioxide CO2 = atomic mass of carbon + 2 × (atomic mass
of oxygen)
= 12.011 u + 2 × (16.00 u)
= 44.011 u
Apart from molecular mass we also have formula mass. This mass is used for
compounds which do not have discrete molecules as their constituent units. For
example, in NaCl, one Na+ is surrounded by six Cl-and vice versa. The molecular mass
in such cases has no meaning since the molecule exists as a single entity. Therefore in
these cases we use formula mass for calculating the mass of the molecule.’

Molecular Weight
Molecular weight of a substance is the ratio of the mass of one molecule of substance
to 1/12th the mass of 1 atom of carbon – 12.

Molecular Weight= Mass of 1 molecule of the substance

1/12th mass of 1 atom of carbon 12

Molecular weights of some compounds

1. HCl = H+Cl = 1+ 35.5 = 36.5

2. H2SO4 = 1(2) + 32 + 16(4)

= 2 + 32 + 64 = 98

3. NaOH = 23+16+1=40

4. Oxalic acid (COOH.COOH) = 12+16+16+1. 12+16+16+1

=45+45 = 90

5. CuSO4 = 63.54+32+6(4)

6. KOH = 39.10+16+1=56.10

7. CaOH = 40.08+16.00+1.00

= 57.08

Molecular weight is equal to the sum of the atomic weight of all the atoms present in
a molecule of a compound.

The molecular weight expressed in grams is called gram molecular weight.

Example :

1. Mol. Wt. of NaOH = (23 x1) + (16 x 1) + (1 x 1)

= 23 + 16 + 1 = 40

{ Atomic Wt. of Na = 23, O = 16, H = 1 }

2. Mol. Wt. of NaCl = (23 x 1) + 35.5 x 1)

= 23 + 35.5 = 58.5
{ Atomic Wt. of Na = 23, Cl = 35.5 }
3. Mol. Wt. of Water H2O =(1x2)+16=18
{ Atomic Wt. of H = 1, O= 16 }
4. Mol. Wt. of H2SO4 = (1x2)+(32x1)+(6x4)

= 98

{ Atomic Wt. of H = 1, S=32, O= 16 }

Equivalent Weight

The equivalent weight of an element is defined as the number of parts by weight of

an element that combines with or displaces from a compound, 8 parts by weight of

oxygen or 1.008 parts by weight of hydrogen or 35.45 parts by weight of chlorine.

Equivalent weight of an acid = Molecular weight

Number of replaceable H+ atoms (basicity)
For monobasic acids like HCL and HNO3, the number of replaceable hydrogen atom
(the basicity) is one.
Example: eq.wt of HCl= 1+ 35.5 = 36.5
1
i.e. for Monobasic acids, molecular weight is equal to equivalents weight. For dibasic
acids like H2SO4 having two replaceable hydrogen atoms, basicity is 2 and so,
eq.wt of H2SO4= 98/2 = 49
Equivalent weight of a base = Molecular weight
Number of replaceable OH- ions (acidity)
i.e. for NaOH = 40/1=40
For monoacidic bases like NaOH, Molecular weight is equal to equivalent weight
(1M NaOH=1N NaOH).
Molecular weight of NaOH is 40
1M NaOH =40 gms/litre
1N NaOH = 40 gms/litre
Thus, for NaOH 1M NaOH = 1N NaOH
For dibasic acids like calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)having two replaceable hydroxyl
groups, acidity is 2 hence, (molecular weight of Ca(OH)2 is 74)
Equivalent weight of Ca(OH)2= 74/2 = 37 gms/litre
1M Ca(OH)2 is 74 g in one litre of solvent
1 Normal Ca(OH)2 is 37 g in one litre of solvent.
Therefore, 1M Ca(OH)2 = 2N Ca(OH)2

Molar solution: A molar solution is a solution which contains one gram molecular
weight (1 mole) of the substance dissolved in one litre of solvent.’

Eg. 1M solution of NaOH = 40g of NaOH dissolved in one litre of water.

1M solution of H2SO4 = 98.06g (ml) of H2SO4 in one litre of water.
‘mole’ is an expression of amount
‘molarity’ is an expression of concentration
Usually the units are in mol/L
Molarity (M): The molarity is defined as the number of moles of a solute dissolved in
one litre of the solution (solvent). Molarity is represented by M, which is termed as
molar. One molar is the molarity of a solution where one gram of solute is dissolved in
a litre of solution. As we know, in a solution, the solvent and solute blend to form a
solution, hence, the total volume of the solution is taken.

This is the most common method for expressing the concentration of solution in
biochemical studies.

Molarity of the solution can be calculated as follows:

Molarity = weight of a solute in g/L of solution/ Molecular weight of solute
It may be noted that in case of molar solutions, the combined total volume of the
solute and solvent is one litre.
Thus for preparing one litre of 0.1M NaOH, the calculation is as follows:
Molecular weight of NaOH=40
Required Molarity of the solution=0.1M
Amount (in g) of NaOH in one litre of solution= Mol.wt of NaOH x molarity
= 40 x 0.1
=4 g
Thus, weigh 4 g of NaOH and dissolve it in a small volume of solvent (water) and make
the final volume to one litre with the solvent to get one litre of 0.1M NaOH.
PROBLEMS:

1. Give the calculation for preparing 500ml of 0.5M MgCl2 solution.

Answer: Step 1: First we need to find out molar mass of the solute MgCl2
(atomic weights= Mg=24.305, Cl= 35.43)
 Molar mass of MgCl2 = 24.305 + 2 (35.43)=95.211g
Molar mass of MgCl2= 95.211g/mole
Step 2: Multiply the molar mass by the required molarity
(95.211g/mole) x (0.5M/L)= 47.606g/L
Step 3: Multiply that mass by the volume required (in litres)
47.606 x 0.5L = 23.803g
Thus by dissolving 23.803 g of MgCl2 in 500 ml of water, we get 0.5M MgCl2
solution.

2. Give the calculation for preparing 50ml solution of 0.6M NaCl using a 1.5M NaCl
stock solution.
Answer: Calculate the volume of stock solution needed
N1V1=N2V2
1.5M (V1) = 0.6 M (50ml)
V1= 0.6 x50/1.5
= 20ml
20ml of 1.5M NaCl stock solution is taken into a measuring cylinder and made
up to 50 ml with distilled water to get 0.6M NaCl solution.

3. Describe how you would prepare 1 L of a 1 M solution of sodium chloride. The

gram formula weight of sodium chloride is 58.44 g/mol.
Answer: To make a 1 M solution of sodium chloride, dissolve 58.44 g sodium
chloride in 500 mL water in a 1000-mL volumetric flask. When the entire solid
is dissolved and the solution is at room temperature, make up to the mark
with distilled water and invert the flask several times to mix.

4. Describe how you would prepare 1 L of a 2 M solution of acetic acid. The gram
formula weight of acetic acid is 60.05 g/mol, and its density is 1.049 g/mL.
Answer: To make a 2 M solution of acetic acid, dissolve 120.1 g acetic acid in
500 mL distilled or deionized water in a 1000-mL volumetric flask. Since
acetic acid is a liquid, it may also be measured by volume. Divide the mass of
acid by its density (1.049 g/mL) to determine the volume (114 mL). Use either
120.1 g or 114 mL acetic acid to make the solution. Swirl the flask gently to
mix the solution. Once the solution is at room temperature, make up the
volume to the mark with distilled water and invert the flask several times to
mix.
Normal solution: A solution which contains one gm equivalent weight of the substance
in one litre of solution.
Equivalent weight of any chemcial is calculated by dividing the molecular weight with
its valance. Valancy is the number of ions that can be displaced.

Equivalent weight = Molecular weight/ Valency

e.g. 1) 1N NaOH
Molecular weight of NaOH = 23 + 16+ 1 = 40
Valency of NaOH =1(1 hydrogen ion)
Equivalent weight = 40/1=40
Therefore, 40g of NaOH crystals are dissolved in one litre of distilled water
to prepare 1 ltre of 1N NaOH solution.
2) 0.1N NaOH= 4g of NaOH crystals are dissolved in one litre of distilled
water.
Normality (N): The normality of a solution is the number of gram equivalents of the
solute dissolved in one litre of the solution.

Therefore, Normality= Amount of a substance in g /L of solution / Eq.wt.of substance

For preparing 0.1N Na2CO3 (Eq.wt. of Na2CO3=53) solution, dissolve 5.3g of Na2CO3 in
a final volume of one litre solution.

PROBLEMS:

1. Give the formula to calculate normality of concentrated sulphuric acid. How do you
prepare 100ml of 1N sulphuric acid?

Solution: Molecular weight of H2SO4= (1x2)+32+ (4x16)=98

Valency of H2SO4 =2 (2 hydrogen ions)
Equivalent weight =98/2=49
Actual quantity (g) = Theoretical quantity(g) x100/Purity (%)
For eaxmple, we require 49g of H2SO4 to prepare one litre of 1N H2SO4 solution but
the actual purity of H2SO4 is 98%.
Therefore, actual quantity is calculated as follows:
Actaul quantity (g) =49 x100/98=50g
 Since H2SO4 is liquid, 4.9ml of concentrated H2SO4 is used to prepare 100ml of 1N
H2SO4 solution. (85.1 ml of distilled water + 4.9ml of Conc. H2SO4).
Note: Always acid is to be added to water and not water to acid.

2. Preparation of 1000ml of 1N H2SO4 solution

Molecular weight of H2SO4= (1x2)+32+ (4x16)=98
Valency of H2SO4 =2 (2 hydrogen ions)
 Equivalent weight =98/2=49
Therefore 49g of H2SO4 (100%) is used to prepare one litre of 1N H2SO4
solution.
Note:

 Since H2SO4 is liquid, 49ml of concentrated H2SO4 is used to prepare 1

litre of 1N H2SO4 solution.
 If the solute is not 100% pure, then calculate the required quantity
using the following formula:
Actual quantity (g) = Theoretical quantity(g) x100/Purity (%)
For eaxmple, we require 49g of H2SO4 to prepare one litre of 1N H2SO4
solution but the actual purity of H2SO4 is 98%.
Therefore, actual quantity is calculated as follows:
Actaul quantity (g) =49 x100/98=50g
 Since H2SO4 is liquid, 50ml of concentrated H2SO4 is used to prepare 1
litre of 1N H2SO4 solution.

3. Preparation of 500ml of 2N H2SO4 solution

Molecular weight of H2SO4= (1x2)+32+ (4x16)=98
Valency of H2SO4 =2 (2 hydrogen ions)
Equivalent weight =98/2=49
1N =49g, therefore 2N= 49x2=98 g (ml) of H2SO4 (100%) is used to prepare
one litre of 2N H2SO4 solution.
Therefore for preparing 500ml of 2N H2SO4, 49g (49ml) of H2SO4 is used.
Note:
Normality represents the molar concentration ‘only of the acid component (H+
for acid) or ‘only the base component (OH- for base).
Finally,
N=M x Number of H+ or OH- ions
2M H2SO4= 4N H2SO4
2MHCl=2N HCl
2MH3PO4 = 6N H3PO4
2M NaOH=2N NaOH

Calculation of Normality in Titration

Titration is the process of gradual addition of a solution of a known concentration and

volume with another solution of unknown concentration until the reaction approaches
its neutralization. To find the normality of the acid and base titration:
N1 V1 = N2 V2

Where,

 N1 = Normality of the Acidic solution

 V1 = Volume of the Acidic solution
 N2 = Normality of the basic solution
 V3 = Volume of the basic solution

Normality Equations
The equation of normality that helps to estimate the volume of a solution required to
prepare a solution of different normality is given by,
Initial Normality (N1) × Initial Volume (V1) = Normality of the Final Solution (N2) ×
Final Volume (V2)

Uses of Normality

Normality is used mostly in three common situations:

 In determining the concentrations in acid-base chemistry. For instance,

normality is used to indicate hydronium ions (H3O+) or hydroxide ions (OH–)
concentrations in a solution.
 Normality is used in precipitation reactions to measure the number of ions
which are likely to precipitate in a specific reaction.
 It is used in redox reactions to determine the number of electrons that a
reducing or an oxidizing agent can donate or accept.
Molality (m)
The molality can be defined as the number of moles of solute dissolved in 1 kg of
solvent or 1 gm mol wt of the substance dissolved in 1000 gm of water. It is denoted
by symbol ‘m’.
Molality (m) = Mass of substance/kg of the solvent
Molecular Weight

1. Prepare 1 molar & 1 normal sulphuric acid solution

H2SO4 1 Molar = 98/1 = 98
1 Normal = 46/1=46
1M H2SO4: 98ml of H2SO4 is slowly added into a distilled water taken in a
measuring cylinder and make up to 1 litre to get 1M H2SO4.
1N H2SO4: 46ml of H2SO4 is slowly added into a distilled water taken in a
measuring cylinder and make up to 1 litre to get 1N H2SO4.
2. 1 Molar & 1 normal NaOH
NaOH = 1 Molar = 40/1=40
1 Normal =39.99 = 39.99
 One normal NaOH solution contains 23+ 16+1=40 grams (gram molar mass) of
NaOH. Therefore, add 40 grams of sodium hydroxide to one litre of water. Thus
1N NaOH solution is prepared.
3. 1 Moral & 1 Normal KMnO4
1 Molar 158.04 = 158.04
1 Normal = 158.04 = 31.608
= 31.608

4. Mol Wt of AgNO3
At. Wt. O2 Ag + At Wt. of N +3 At. Wt. of an
[108+14+6x13]
108+14=48=170
“Gram molecular weight.” The mol wt. of a substance expressed in grams is called the
gram molecular weight of that substance.

QUESTIONS

1. Define normality. Give the formula to calculate normality of concentrated

sulphuric acid. How do you prepare 100ml of 1N sulphuric acid?
2. Define a) Valency b) Molairty with one example for each
3. How do you prepare 100ml of 0.5N NaOH from 2N NaOH?
4. Formula to calculate the normality and molarity of concentrated acids.
5. Define a) Molecular weight b) Equivalent weight of a compound with one
example.
6. Calculate the Molarity of concentrated hydrochloric acid.
7. Preparation of 100ml of 2N NaOH from 10N NaOH
8. Valency of two elements
9. Define normality. Write the procedure of preparation of 500 ml of 1N NaOH
10. Define a) Valency b) Molecular weight
11. What is one molal solution?
12. Define molarity and normality
13. Explain Valency, Equivalent weight, Normality, Molecular wieght and Molality
with suitable examples.
14. Define normality. Explain the prepration of a) 0.1N NaOH b) 0.1N HCl from 1N
HCl
15. Define valency and give one example.
16. Calculate the molarity of concentrated HCl.
17. How to prepare 1M sulphuric acid solution?

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