CHAPTER 2

CHEMICAL FORMULAS &

COMPOSITION
STOICHIOMETRY

1
Chapter Goals
1. Atoms and Molecules
2. Chemical Formulas
3. Ions and Ionic Compounds
4. Names and Formulas of Some
Ionic Compounds
5. Atomic Weights
6. The Mole

2
Chapter Goals
7. Formula Weights, Molecular Weights,
and Moles
8. Percent Composition and Formulas of
Compounds
9. Derivation of Formulas from Elemental
Composition
10.Determination of Molecular Formulas
11.Some Other Interpretations of
Chemical Formulas
12.Purity of Samples
3
Atoms and Molecules
Dalton’s Atomic Theory - 1808
Five postulates
1. An element is composed of extremely small, indivisible
particles called atoms.
2. All atoms of a given element have identical properties
that differ from those of other elements.
3. Atoms cannot be created, destroyed, or transformed into
atoms of another element.
4. Compounds are formed when atoms of different
elements combine with one another in small whole-
number ratios.
5. The relative numbers and kinds of atoms are constant in
a given compound.
Which of these postulates are correct today?

4
Atoms and Molecules
A molecule is the smallest particle of an element
that can have a stable independent existence.
 Usually have 2 or more atoms bonded together
Examples of molecules
 H2
 O2
 S8
 H2O
 CH4
 C2H5OH

5
Chemical Formulas
Chemical formula shows the chemical
composition of the substance.
 ratio of the elements present in the molecule
or compound
He, Au, Na – monatomic elements
O2, H2, Cl2 – diatomic elements
O3, S8, P4 - more complex elements
H2O, C12H22O11 – compounds
 Substance consists of two or more elements

6
Chemical Formulas
Compound 1 Molecule Contains
HCl 1 H atom & 1 Cl atom
H2O 2 H atoms & 1 O atom
NH3 1 N atom & 3 H atoms
C3H8 3 C atoms & 8 H atoms

7
Ions and Ionic Compounds
Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that
possess an electric charge.
Two basic types of ions:
Positive ions or cations
 one or more electrons less than neutral
 Na+, Ca2+ , Al3+
 NH4+ - polyatomic cation
Negative ions or anions
 one or more electrons more than neutral
 F-, O2- , N3-
 SO42- , PO43- - polyatomic anions

8
Ions and Ionic Compounds
Sodium chloride
 table salt is an ionic compound

9
Names and Formulas of
Some Ionic Compounds
Table 2-3 displays the formulas,
charges, and names of some common
ions
 You must know the names, formulas, and
charges of the common ions in table 2-3.
Some examples are:
 Anions - Cl1- , OH1- , SO42- , PO43-
 Cations - Na1+ , NH41+ , Ca2+ , Al3+

10
Names and Formulas of
Some Ionic Compounds
Formulas of ionic compounds are determined by the
charges of the ions.
 Charge on the cations must equal the charge on the
anions.
 The compound must be neutral.
NaCl sodium chloride (Na1+ & Cl1- )
KOH potassium hydroxide(K1+ & OH1- )
CaSO4 calcium sulfate (Ca2+ & SO42- )
Al(OH)3 aluminum hydroxide (Al3+ & 3 OH1- )

11
Names and Formulas of
Some Ionic Compounds
Table 2-2 gives names of several
molecular compounds.
 You must know all of the molecular
compounds from Table 2-2.
Some examples are:
 H2SO4 - sulfuric acid
 FeBr2 - iron(II) bromide
 C2H5OH - ethanol

12
Names and Formulas of
Some Ionic Compounds
You do it! (# 1)
What is the formula of nitric acid?
HNO3
What is the formula of sulfur trioxide?
SO3
What is the name of FeBr3?
iron(III) bromide

13
Names and Formulas of
Some Ionic Compounds
You do it! (# 2)
What is the name of K2SO3?
potassium sulfite
What is charge on sulfite ion?
SO32- is sulfite ion
What is the formula of ammonium
sulfide?
(NH4)2S

14
Names and Formulas of
Some Ionic Compounds
You do it!
What is charge on ammonium ion?
NH41+
What is the formula of aluminum
sulfate?
Al2(SO4)3
What is charge on both ions?
Al3+ and SO42-

15
Atomic Weights
Weighted average of the
masses of the constituent
isotopes if an element.
 Tells us the atomic masses of
every known element.
 Lower number on periodic
chart.
How do we know what the
values of these numbers
are?

16
The Mole
A number of atoms, ions, or
molecules that is large enough to see
and handle.
A mole = number of things
 Just like a dozen = 12 things
 One mole = 6.022 x 1023 things
Avogadro’s number = 6.022 x 1023
 Symbol for Avogadro’s number is NA.

17
The Mole
How do we know when we have a mole?
 count it out
 weigh it out
Molar mass - mass in grams numerically equal to
the atomic weight of the element in grams.
H has an atomic weight of 1.00794 g
 1.00794 g of H atoms = 6.022 x 1023 H atoms
Mg has an atomic weight of 24.3050 g
 24.3050 g of Mg atoms = 6.022 x 1023 Mg atoms

18
The Mole
Example 2-1: Calculate the mass of
a single Mg atom in grams to 3
significant figures.
? gM g =

19
The Mole
Example 2-1: Calculate the mass of
a single Mg atom in grams to 3
significant figures.
? g Mg = 1 Mg atom

20
The Mole
Example 2-1: Calculate the mass of
a single Mg atom in grams to 3
significant figures.
 1 mol Mg atoms 
? g Mg = 1 Mg atom   ×
 6.022 ×10 23
Mg atoms 

21
The Mole
Example 2-1: Calculate the mass of
a single Mg atom, in grams, to 3
significant figures.
 1 mol Mg atoms 
? g Mg = 1 Mg atom   ×
 6.022 ×10 23
Mg atoms 
 24.30 gMg 
  = 4.04 ×10 −23 g Mg
 1 mol Mg atoms 

22
The Mole
Example 2-2: Calculate the number of
atoms in one-millionth of a gram of Mg
to 3 significant figures.
? Mg atoms =

23
The Mole
Example 2-2: Calculate the number
of atoms in one-millionth of a gram
of Mg to 3 significant figures.
−6  1 mol Mg 
? Mg atoms = 1.00 × 10 g Mg  
 24.30 g Mg 

24
The Mole
Example 2-2: Calculate the number
of atoms in one-millionth of a gram
of Mg to 3 significant figures.
−6  1 mol Mg 
? Mg atoms =1.00 ×10 g Mg 
 24.30 g Mg 

 
 6.022 ×10 23 Mg atoms 

 

 1 mol Mg atoms 

25
The Mole
Example 2-2: Calculate the number
of atoms in one-millionth of a gram
of Mg to 3 significant figures.
−6  1 mol Mg 
? Mg atoms = 1.00 ×10 g Mg  
 24.30 g Mg 
 6.022 ×10 23 Mg atoms 
  = 2.48 ×1016 Mg atoms
 1 mol Mg atoms 

26
The Mole
Example 2-3. How many atoms are
contained in 1.67 moles of Mg?
? Mg atoms =

27
The Mole
Example 2-3. How many atoms are
contained in 1.67 moles of Mg?
? Mg atoms = 1.67 mol Mg

28
The Mole
Example 2-3. How many atoms are
contained in 1.67 moles of Mg?
 6.022 ×10 23 Mg atoms 
? Mg atoms = 1.67 mol Mg  
 1 mol Mg 

29
The Mole
Example 2-3. How many atoms are
contained in 1.67 moles of Mg?
 6.022 ×10 23 Mg atoms 
? Mg atoms = 1.67 mol Mg  
 1 mol Mg 
= 1.00 ×10 Mg atoms
24

30
The Mole
Example 2-3. How many atoms are
contained in 1.67 moles of Mg?
 6.022 × 1023 Mg atoms 
? Mg atoms = 1.67 mol Mg 
 1 mol Mg 
= 1.00 × 1024 Mg atoms

31
The Mole
Example 2-4: How many moles of Mg
atoms are present in 73.4 g of Mg?
You do it!

32
The Mole
Example 2-4: How many moles of Mg
atoms are present in 73.4 g of Mg?

? mol M g = 73.4 g M g

33
The Mole
Example 2-4: How many moles of Mg
atoms are present in 73.4 g of Mg?

 1 mol Mg atoms 
? mol Mg = 73.4 g Mg  
 24.30 g Mg 

34
The Mole
Example 2-4: How many moles of Mg
atoms are present in 73.4 g of Mg?

 1 mol Mg atoms
? mol Mg = 73.4 g Mg  
 24.30 g Mg 
= 3.02 mol Mg
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU KNOW
HOW TO DO THESE PROBLEMS
35
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
How do we calculate the molar
mass of a compound?
 add atomic weights of each atom
The molar mass of propane, C3H8,
is:3 × C=3 × 1 .20 1 a m =3
u 6.0 3 a m u
8 ×H=8× .10 1 a m u=  .80 8 a m u
M o l ma r a s s =4 4.1 1 a m u
36
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
The molar mass of calcium nitrate,
Ca(NO3)2 , is:
You do it!

37
Molecular Weights, and
Moles

1× Ca = 1× 40.08 amu = 40.08 amu

2 × N = 2 ×14.01 amu = 28.02 amu
6 × O = 6 ×16.00 amu = 96.00 amu
Molar mass = 164.10 amu

38
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
One Mole of Contains
 Cl2 or 70.90g 6.022 x 1023 Cl2 molecules
2(6.022 x 1023 ) Cl atoms
 C3H8 You do it!

39
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
One Mole of Contains
 Cl2 or 70.90g 6.022 x 1023 Cl2 molecules
2(6.022 x 1023 ) Cl atoms
 C3H8 or 44.11 g 6.022 x 1023 C3H8 molecules
3 (6.022 x 1023 ) C atoms
8 (6.022 x 1023 ) H atoms

40
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Example 2-5: Calculate the number
of C3H8 molecules in 74.6 g of
propane.
? C H molecules = 74.6 g C H ×
3 8 3 8

41
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Example 2-5: Calculate the number
of C3H8 molecules in 74.6 g of
?propane.
C 3 H 8 molecules = 74.6 g C 3 H 8 ×
 1 mole C 3 H 8 

 44.11 g C H  
 3 8 

42
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Example 2-5: Calculate the number
of C3H8 molecules in 74.6 g of
? C3 H8 molecules= 74.6 g C3 H8 ×
propane.
 1 mole C3 H8  6.022× 1023 C3 H8 molecules 
  = 
 44.11 g C3 H8   1 mol C3 H8 

43
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Example 2-5: Calculate the number
of C3H8 molecules in 74.6 g of
propane.
? C3H 8 molecules = 74.6 g C3 H 8 ×
 1 mole C3 H 8  6.022 ×10 23 C3H 8 molecules 
   =
 44.11 g C3H 8  44.11 g C3 H 8 
1.02 × 10 molecules
24

44
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Example 2-8. Calculate the number
of O atoms in 26.5 g of Li2CO3.
You do it!

45
 Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Example 2-8. Calculate the number
of O atoms in 26.5 g of Li2CO3.

1 mol Li 2 CO 3
? O atoms = 26.5 g Li 2 CO 3 × ×
73.8 g Li 2 CO 3
6.022 ×10 23 form.units Li 2 CO 3 3 O atoms
× =
1 mol Li 2 CO 3 1 formula unit Li 2 CO 3
6.49 ×10 O atoms
23

46
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Occasionally, we will use
millimoles.
 Symbol - mmol
 1000 mmol = 1 mol
For example: oxalic acid (COOH)2
 1 mol = 90.04 g
 1 mmol = 0.09004 g or 90.04 mg

47
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Example 2-9: Calculate the number
of mmol in 0.234 g of oxalic acid,
(COOH)2.
You do it!

48
Molecular Weights, and
Moles
Example 2-9: Calculate the number
of mmol in 0.234 g of oxalic acid,
(COOH)2.

? mmol (COOH)2 = 0.234 g (COOH)2 ×

 1 mmol (COOH)2 
  = 2.60 mmol (COOH)2
 0.09004 g (COOH)2 

49
Percent Composition and
Formulas of Compounds
% composition = mass of an individual
element in a compound divided by the
total mass of the compound x 100%
Determine the percent composition of C in
C 3H 8.

mass C
%C= ×100%
mass C 3 H 8
3 ×12.01 g
= ×100%
44.11 g
= 81.68% 50
Percent Composition and
Formulas of Compounds
What is the percent composition of H in
C3H8?
You do it!

51
Percent Composition and
Formulas of Compounds
What is the percent composition of H in
C3H8? mass H
%H= ×100%
mass C3 H 8
8×H
= ×100%
C3H 8
8 ×1.01 g
= ×100% = 18.32 %
44.11 g
or
18.32% = 100% − 81.68% 52
Percent Composition and
Formulas of Compounds
Example 2-10: Calculate the
percent composition of Fe2(SO4)3 to
3 significant figures.
You do it!

53
Percent Composition and
Formulas of Compounds
Example 2-10: Calculate the
percent composition of Fe2(SO4)3 to
3 2×F e fig.
sig. 2×5 5.8 g
% F=e ×1 0 0 %= ×1 0 0 % =2 7.9 % F e
F e2 S O4 3 3 9 9.9 g
3×S 3×3 2.1 g
% S= ×1 0 0 %= ×1 0 0 %   =2 4.1 % S
F e2 S O4 3 3 9 9.9 g
1 2×O 1 2×1 6.0 g
% O= ×1 0 0 %= ×1 0 0 %=4 8.0 % O
F e2 S O4  3 3 9 9.9 g
T o ta l =1 0 0 %
54
from Elemental
Composition
Empirical Formula - smallest whole-number ratio of
atoms present in a compound
 CH2 is the empirical formula for alkenes
 No alkene exists that has 1 C and 2 H’s
Molecular Formula - actual numbers of atoms of each
element present in a molecule of the compound
 Ethene – C2H4
 Pentene – C5H10
We determine the empirical and molecular formulas
of a compound from the percent composition of the
compound.
 percent composition is determined experimentally

55
from Elemental
Composition
Example 2-11: A compound contains
24.74% K, 34.76% Mn, and 40.50% O by
mass. What is its empirical formula?
Make the simplifying assumption that
we have 100.0 g of compound.
In 100.0 g of compound there are:
 24.74 g of K
 34.76 g of Mn
 40.50 g of O

56
from Elemental
Composition
1 mol K
? mol K = 24.74 g K × = 0.6327 mol K
39.10 g K

57
from Elemental
Composition
1 mol K
? mol K = 24.74 g K × = 0.6327 mol K
39.10 g K
1 mol Mn
? mol Mn = 34.76 g Mn × = 0.6327 mol Mn
54.94 g Mn

58
from Elemental
Composition
1 mol K
? mol K = 24.74 g K × = 0.6327 mol K
39.10 g K
1 mol Mn
? mol Mn = 34.76 g Mn × = 0.6327 mol Mn
54.94 g Mn
1mol O
? mol O = 40.50 g O × = 2.531 mol O
16.00 g O
obtain smallest whole number ratio

59
from Elemental
Composition
1 mol K
? mol K = 24.74 g K × = 0.6327 mol K
39.10 g K
1 mol Mn
? mol Mn = 34.76 g Mn × = 0.6327 mol Mn
54.94 g Mn
1mol O
? mol O = 40.50 g O × = 2.531 mol O
16.00 g O
obtain smallest whole number ratio
0.6327 0.6327
for K ⇒ =1K for Mn ⇒ = 1 Mn
0.6327 0.6327

60
from Elemental
Composition
1 mol K
? mol K = 24.74 g K × = 0.6327 mol K
39.10 g K
1 mol Mn
? mol Mn = 34.76 g Mn × = 0.6327 mol Mn
54.94 g Mn
1mol O
? mol O = 40.50 g O × = 2.531 mol O
16.00 g O
obtain smallest whole number ratio
0.6327 0.6327
for K ⇒ =1 K for Mn ⇒ = 1 Mn
0.6327 0.6327
2.531
for O ⇒ =4 O
0.6327
thus the chemical formula is KMnO 4
61
from Elemental
Composition
Example 2-12: A sample of a
compound contains 6.541g of Co
and 2.368g of O. What is empirical
formula for this compound?
You do it!

62
from Elemental
Composition
Example 2-12: A sample of a
compound contains 6.541g of Co
and 2.368g of O. What is empirical
formula for this compound?
1 mol Co
? mol Co = 6.541 g Co × = 0.1110 mol Co
58.93 gCo
1mol O
? mol O = 2.368 g O × = 0.1480 mol O
16.00 g O
find smallest whole number ratio
63
from Elemental
Composition
Example 2-12: A sample of a
compound contains 6.541g of Co
and 2.368g of O. What is empirical
formula for this compound?
0.1110 0.1480
for Co ⇒ = 1 Co for O⇒ = 1.333 O
0.1110 0.1110
multipy both by 3 to turn fraction to wh ole number
1 Co ×3 = 3 Co × =3 4 O
1.333 O
Thus the compound's formula is:
Co 3O 4
64
Determination of
Molecular Formulas
Example 2-13: A compound is found to
contain 85.63% C and 14.37% H by
mass. In another experiment its molar
mass is found to be 56.1 g/mol. What is
its molecular formula?
 short cut method
1 mol contains 56.1 g
85.63% is C and 14.37% is H
56.1 g × 0.8563 = 48.0 g of C
56.1 g × 0.1437 = 8.10 g of H 65
Determination of
Molecular Formulas
convert masses to moles
1 mol C
48.0 g of C × = 4 mol C
12.0 g C
1 mol H
8.10 g of H × = 8 mol H
1.01 g H
Thus the formula is:
C 4 H8
66
Interpretations of
Chemical Formulas
Example 2-16: What mass of
ammonium phosphate, (NH4)3PO4,
would contain 15.0 g of N?

molar mass of (NH 4 )3PO 4 = 149.0 g/mol

1 mol N
? mol N = 15.0 g of N × = 1.07 mol N
14.0 g N

67
Interpretations of
Chemical Formulas
Example 2-16: What mass of
ammonium phosphate, (NH4)3PO4,
would contain 15.0 g of N?
molar mass of (NH 4 ) 3 PO 4 = 149.0 g/mol
1 mol N
? mol N = 15.0 g of N × = 1.07 mol N
14.0 g N
1 mol (NH 4 ) 3 PO 4
1.07 mol N × = 0.357 mol (NH 4 ) 3 PO 4
3 mol N

68
Interpretations of
Chemical Formulas
Example 2-16: What mass of
ammonium phosphate, (NH4)3PO4,
would contain 15.0 g of N?
molar mass of (NH4 )3 PO 4 = 149.0 g/mol
1 mol N
? mol N = 15.0 g of N × = 1.07 mol N
14.0 g N
1 mol (NH4 )3 PO 4
1.07 mol N × = 0.357 mol (NH4 )3 PO 4
3 mol N
149.0 g (NH4 )3 PO 4
0.357 mol (NH4 )3 PO 4 × = 53.2 g (NH4 )3 PO4
1 mol (NH4 )3 PO 4
69
Purity of Samples
The percent purity of a sample of a
substance is always represented
as mass of pure substance
% purity = ×100%
mass of sample
mass of sample includes impurities

70
Purity of Samples
Example 2-18: A bottle of sodium
phosphate, Na3PO4, is 98.3% pure
Na3PO4. What are the masses of Na3PO4
and impurities in 250.0 g of this sample
of Na3PO4?
98.3 g Na 3 PO 4
unit factor
100.0 g sample

71
Purity of Samples
Example 2-18: A bottle of sodium
phosphate, Na3PO4, is 98.3% pure
Na3PO4. What are the masses of Na3PO4
and impurities in 250.0 g of this sample
of Na3PO4?
98.3 g Na 3 PO 4
unit factor
100.0 g sample
98.3 g Na 3 PO 4
? g Na 3 PO 4 = 250.0 g sample ×
100.0 g sample
= 246 g Na 3 PO 4
72
Purity of Samples
Example 2-18: A bottle of sodium
phosphate, Na3PO4, is 98.3% pure
Na3PO4. What are the masses of Na3PO4
and impurities in 250.0 g of this sample
of Na3PO4? 98.3 g Na 3 PO 4
unit factor
100.0 g sample
98.3 g Na 3PO 4
? g Na 3PO 4 = 250.0 g sample ×
100.0 g sample
=246 g Na 3 PO 4
? g impurities = 250.0 g sample - 246 g Na 3 PO 4
= 4.00 g impurities 73
Synthesis Problem
In 1986, Bednorz and Muller succeeded in
making the first of a series of chemical
compounds that were superconducting at
relatively high temperatures. This first
compound was La2CuO4 which
superconducts at 35K. In their initial
experiments, Bednorz and Muller made only
a few mg of this material. How many La
atoms are present in 3.56 mg of La2CuO4?

74
Synthesis Problem
molar mass of La 2 CuO 4 = 405.3 g/mol
 1g 
( 3.56 mg La 2CuO 4 ) 
 ×
 1000 mg 
 1 mol La 2 CuO 4 

 405.3 g La CuO   = 8 . 78 ×10 −6
mol La 2 CuO 4
 2 4 

75
Synthesis Problem
molar mass of La 2 CuO 4 = 405.3 g/mol
 1g 
( 3.56 mg La 2 CuO 4 ) 
 ×
1000 mg 
 1 mol La 2 CuO 4 

 405.3 g La CuO   = 8 . 78 ×10 −6
mol La 2 CuO 4
 2 4 

 6.022 ×10 23 molecules La 2 CuO 

(8.78 ×10 −6
mol La 2 CuO 4 )

4

×
 1 mol La 2 CuO 4 
 2 La atoms 

 molecule La CuO 
 = 1. 06 ×10 19
La atoms
 2 4 

76
Group Activity
Within a year after Bednorz and Muller’s
initial discovery of high temperature
superconductors, Wu and Chu had
discovered a new compound, YBa2Cu3O7,
that began to superconduct at 100 K. If
we wished to make 1.00 pound of
YBa2Cu3O7, how many grams of yttrium
must we buy?

77
End of Chapter 2
The mole concept and basic
stoichiometry ideas introduced in
this chapter are essential
components for the remainder of
this course.

78