Chapter 5

Mole Concept
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Define the mole
 Define Molar mass
 State Avogadro’s Constant
 Perform calculations involving moles, masses
and number of particles
 The mole
Think of the mole as a fixed amount of
something for example:-

 A dozen bananas represents 12 bananas

 A century represents 100 years

 A decade represents 10 years

 A pair of something always represents 2

 The Mole
 Similarly, a mole simply represents a
fixed number. In this case, it can be used
to describe anything that contains a
specific but large number of particles of a
substance.
 The number 6 x 1023 is called one mole or
Avogadro’s constant (NA) in honour of
Amedeo Avogadro.
 The Mole
The mole has been defined in comparison
to carbon-12 where 12.00 g of Carbon-12
contains 6.0 x1023 atoms of Carbon-12.

 The mole is therefore the amount of a

substance that will contain 6.0 x1023
particles of that particular substance.
 The Mole
If one carbon atom is twelve times as heavy
as a hydrogen atom, It can be deduced that
if a mole of hydrogen atoms weighs 1 g,
one mole of carbon atoms will weigh 12
times more (12 g).

What would then be the weight of one mole

of sodium atoms?
 The Mole
 A mole of any atom will have a mass equal to
its relative atomic mass (Ar) expressed in
grams.

Mass of 1 mole of atoms = Ar in grams

 The mass of one mole of a substance is

referred to as its molar mass, or M.
 Molar Mass
 The molar mass of every element or compound
will vary as the mass of atoms of each element is
different.

 The molar mass of an element or compound is

measured in grams per mole (g mol-1)

 Therefore, we can convert any mass in grams of

an element into number of moles by dividing it by
its relative atomic mass.
 The moles
1 mole of an atom =
Mass of the element in grams
Relative atomic mass, Ar

1.How many moles of atoms are there in 36

g of Carbon?

2.What is the mass of 0.25 mol of Sulphur

atoms?
 Worked Example
First determine the mass of one mole of
Sulphur.

1) 1 mole of Sulphur atoms weighs 32 g

mol-1

2) Therefore 0.25 mol would weigh:

0.25 mol x 32 g mol-1 = 8 g

 Moles and Mass
 The explanation of Molar Mass helps us link
or gives a relationship between the number of
moles of an element or compound and its
respective mass in grams.
Moles and Mass
 Moles and Masses
 Worked example: determine the number of moles
present in 10 g of CaCO3

-First calculate the molar mass of CaCO3

M (CaCO3) = 40 + 12 + (3 x 16) = 100 g mol -1

i.e. mass of 1 mol of CaCO3 = 100 g

 Number of moles in 10 g = 10/100 mol = 0.1 mol

 Practice
 Calculate the mass of:

a) 0.25 mol of sodium sulfate, Na2SO4

b) 1.2 mol of glucose, C6H12O6
 Number of moles, n
 Using our knowledge of the number of particles in
one mole of a substance (6.0 x 1023), we can
determine the number of particles in any given
number of moles.

 Keep in mind that particles can be atoms, molecule

or formula units (made of ions) depending on the
type of bonding
 For instance:

 Calculate the number of atoms in 0.25 mol

of copper, Cu

 Calculate the number of moles of Nitrogen

dioxide, NO2 that contain 1.5 x 1023
molecules of Nitrogen Dioxide
 Moles and number of particles
 Calculate the number of hydrogen atoms
present in 2.0 mol of ammonia, NH3

 Combining the principles covered so far,

attempt to calculate the number of
molecules present in 1.8 g of water, H2O
 Worked Example
 First determine the molar mass of water=

M (H2O) = (2 x 1) = 16 = 18 g mol-1
Therefore, mass of 1 mol of H2O = 18 g
 Number of moles in 1.8 g = 1.8/18 = 0.1 mol
 If 1 mole contains 6.0 x 1023 molecules
 0.1 contains 0.1 x 6.0 x 1023 = 6.0 x 1022
molecules
 Practice!!
Summary questions (page 105)

2. Calculate the # of moles in a) 20 g of neon

b) 63.0 g of magnesium chloride

 More Practice!
 Calculate the number of molecules in 1.5
mol of hydrogen chloride, HCl

 Calculate the mass of 2.5 x 1023 formula

units of calcium phosphate Ca3(PO4)2

 Calculate the number of molecules in 34 g

of ammonia, NH3
 The mole and gas volumes
 Due to their very small masses, it is easier for
chemists to investigate the relationship
between the number of moles of a gas and its
volume occupied.

 As a result, Avogadro proposed Avogadro’s

Law.
 Avogadro’s Law
 Avogadro’s Law states that equal volumes of
all gases, under the same conditions of
temperature and pressure, contain the same
number of molecules

 The volume of one mole of a gas is then

known as its molar volume, Vm.
 Chapter 5
Mole Concept

Molar Volume of Gases

Avogadro’s Law states that equal volume of gases under
the same temperature and pressure contain the same
number of molecules.
Volume of 1 mole of gas = 24 dm3
Volume of gas = Number of moles x 24 dm3
Number of moles = Volume of gas in dm3
24 dm3
 Avogadro’s Law
There are two types of conditions that a gas can
experience or be described under:

1. Standard temperature and pressure, stp = a

temperature of 0° C (273 K) and a pressure of
1 atmosphere (101.3 kPa)

Molar volume at stp is 22.4 dm3 (22, 400 cm3)

 Avogadro’s Law
2. Room temperature and pressure, rtp = a
temperature of 25°C (298 K) and a pressure of 1
atmosphere (101.3 kPa)
 Worked Example
 Calculate the volume occupied by 0.25 mol
Nitrogen, N2 at stp

Volume of 1 mol of N2 at stp = 22. 4 dm3

Therefore, 0.25 mol of N2 at stp = 0.25 x 22.4

dm3 = 5.6 dm3
 Combining Concepts
Calculate the volume occupied by 6.4 g of
oxygen, O2 at stp.

1. Molar mass of O2 gas = 2 x 16 = 32 g mol-1

2. If mass of one mol of oxygen gas = 32 g,

number of moles in 6.4 g= 6.4/32 = 0.2 mol

3. Therefore, volume of 0.2 mol of oxygen at

stp= 0.2 x 22.4 dm3
 Summary Questions
 Work through summary questions 1-4,
page 107.
 Mole and Concentration of
Solutions
 The concentration of a solution is a measure of
the quantity of solute dissolved in a fixed
volume of the solution.

 This volume is usually 1 dm3 or 1000 cm3

 Mole and Concentration of
Solutions
 Concentration of a solution can be expressed as
either:

 Mass concentration:- the mass of solute dissolved

in 1 dm3 of a solution measured in g dm-3

 Molar concentration which gives the number of

moles dissolved in 1 dm3 of solution (mol dm-3).
Also referred to as Molarity (M).
 Mole and Concentration of
Solutions
 A standard solution is one where the
concentration is accurately known. These
solutions are made in a volumetric flask which
has various sizes- 100 cm3, 250 cm3 and 500
cm3

 To make a standard solution in a volume that

is not 1 dm3, the mass of solute must be first
determined
 Standard Solution
 Example from page 108 to be worked through.

Determine the mass of potassium carbonate

(KCO3) which must be dissolved in distilled
water to make 250 cm3 of potassium carbonate
solution with a concentration of 0.2 mol dm -3
 Standard Solution
 Standard solutions allow scientists to
determine the mass of solute necessary in
order to obtain accurate concentrations.
 Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Formulas
1. Mass of 1 mole of atoms = Ar in grams

Mass of the element in grams

2. Number of moles of atoms =
Relative atomic mass, Ar

3. Mass of 1 mole of molecules = Mr in grams

4. Number of moles of molecules = Mass of the substance in grams

Relative molecular mass, Mr
5. Mass of substance containing 1 mole of particles = Molar mass
 Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Empirical Formula
 The empirical formula is the simplest whole number formula.
 It shows the simplest ratio of the elements present in a
compound.
 Ionic compounds are always represented by empirical formulae
 Examples of empirical formulae are:
H2O, CO2, H2SO4, CH2, CH3
 The following are not empirical formulae:
(a) C2H4, (b) C2H6, (c) C2H4O2
because they can be reduced to:
(a) CH2, (b) CH3, (c) CH2O
Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Molecular Formula
 The molecular formula is the true formula.
 It shows all the atoms present in the molecule.
 Examples of molecular formulae are:
H2O, H2O2, CO2, H2SO4, Cu(NO3)2

 H2O2 is hydrogen peroxide. Its empirical formula is HO.

 Covalent compounds are represented by molecular formulae.

 Note that H2O is water, and the molecular formula is the

same as the empirical formula. Covalent compounds may
Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Finding the Molecular Formula
Worked example 1
Propene has the empirical formula CH2. The relative
molecular mass of propene is 42. Find the molecular formula
of propene.
Solution
 Let the molecular formula of propene be (CH2)n.
Since the Mr is 42, (12 + 1x2)n = 42
14n = 42
n = 42 = 3
14
 Hence the molecular formula is 3x(CH2) = C3H6
Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Formula of a compound
 A pure compound has a fixed chemical composition;
hence it can be represented by a chemical formula.
 For example, a molecule of water is made up of 2
atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen, and its
molecular formula is H2O.
 We can find the formula of a compound from its
percentage composition.
Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Finding the formula of a compound
Worked example 3
A compound contains 48.6% of carbon, 43.2% of oxygen, with
the remainder being hydrogen. Find the formula of the compound.
Solution
Step 1: Find the % of hydrogen: 100 – 48.6 – 43.2 = 8.2 %

Step 2: Write down the % ratio: C : O : H

48.6 : 43.2 : 8.2
Step 3: Divide each mass by the Ar: 48.6 : 43.2 : 8.2
12 16 1
4.05 : 2.7 : 8.2
Step 4: Divide by the smallest number: 4.05 : 2.7 : 8.2
2.7 2.7 2.7
1.5 : 1 : 3
Step 5: Multiply each number by 2: 3 : 2 : 6
Step 6 : Write down the formula: C3O2H6 (or C2H5COOH)
Chapter 5
Mole Concept

Limiting Reactants

2H2(g) + O2(g) 2H2O(g)

 2 moles of hydrogen gas react with one or more moles of

oxygen to form 2 moles of steam or water vapour.
 Therefore we say that oxygen is in excess and hydrogen is
called the limiting reactant because the reaction stops when
hydrogen is used up.
Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Quick check 1
Find the formula of each of the following:
1. A compound containing 75% carbon and 25% hydrogen by mass.
2. A compound containing 46.7% silicon and 53.3% oxygen by mass.
3. A compound consisting of 43.4% sodium, 11.3% carbon and 45.3%
oxygen by mass.
4. A compound consisting of 2.8 g of iron combined with 1.2 g of
oxygen.
5. (a) A compound containing 18.9% lithium,
64.9% oxygen and the rest carbon by mass.
(b) Give the name of this compound.

Solution
 Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Quick check 2
1. A hydrocarbon consists of 80% carbon and 20% hydrogen by
mass.
(a) Find the empirical formula of the compound.
(b) If the molecular mass is 30, find the molecular formula.
2. An acid contains 40% carbon, 6.67% hydrogen and 53.33%
oxygen by mass.
(a) Find the empirical formula of the acid.
(b) If the molecular mass of the acid is 60, what is its molecular
formula?
3. A compound called borazine has the following percentage
composition by mass: 40.74% boron, 51.85% nitrogen and the
rest hydrogen. Find the molecular formula of borazine, given it
has a relative molecular mass of 81.
Solution
Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Solution to Quick check 1

1. CH4
2. SiO2
3. Na2CO3
4. Fe2O3
5. (a) Li2CO3
(b) lithium carbonate

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Chapter 5
Mole Concept
Solution to Quick check 2

1. (a) Empirical formula: CH3

(b) Molecular formula: C2H6
2. (a) Empirical formula: CH2O
(b) Molecular formula: C2H4O2 (CH3COOH)
3. Molecular formula: B3N3H6

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