O Level Chemistry

Chap 9: The Mole

2)

2)

Ar Relative Atomic Mass (elements)

The relative atomic mass (Ar) of an element is the average mass of its one atom,
compared to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12.
Ar of element= Nucleon number of element (e.g. Ar of
= 23)
Ar is a ratio and has no units.
Ar values may not always be whole numbers as some elements like chlorine occur as
mixtures of isotopes.
Mr Relative Molecular/Formula Mass
The relative molecular mass (Mr) of an element or compound is the average mass of its
one molecule, compared to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12.
Relative molecular mass is used for molecules (e.g. O2, H2O);
Relative formula mass is used for ionic compounds (e.g. CuSO4, CaCO3).
Mr = (Ar of 1st element x No. of atoms) +
E.g. Mr of CuSO4.5H2O= [(64 x 1) + (32 x 1) + (16 x 4)] + 5[(1 x 2) + (16 x 1)] = 250
Calculating % composition of compounds
Given the compound and element to be calculated,

E.g. To find % of hydrogen in hydrogen peroxide.

Mr of H2O2 = (1 x 2) + (16 x 2)
= 34
% of hydrogen in H2O2 =
= 5.88% (3 sf)

3)

The Mole
The quantity (number) of atoms is measured by mass. The mole is the unit of
measurement for atoms and molecules and is the SI unit for chemical quantity. Symbol
for mole= mol
1 mole of particles (atoms, molecules, ions or electrons) = 6.02 x 1023 particles.
Equal amounts of substances (say 5 mol) will only contain the same number of particles.
(e.g., 5 mol of NaCl and 5 mol of MgO will contain the same number of particles)

4)

Molar Mass
Molar mass is the mass of 1 mole of a substance. Unit = grams.
Molar mass of element = Ar of element (e.g. molar mass of O = 16g).
Molar mass of molecule/compound = Mr of molecule/compound (e.g. O2 = 32g).

5)

Calculating the number of moles

Given the mass of the substance,

Given the number of particles in the substance,

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[Chemistry] Chap 9: The Mole

1)

6)

Empirical Formula
The empirical formula shows the types of elements, in the simplest ratio, present in the
compound.
E.g. Calculate the empirical formula of a compound consisting of 3.5g of nitrogen
combined with 8.0g of oxygen.

Mass (from experiment)

Ar of element
Number of moles

Nitrogen
3.5g
14

Oxygen
8.0g
16

Molar ratio
The empirical formula of the compound is NO2.
7)

Molecular Formula
Given the empirical formula ad Mr of the compound,

E.g. Compound X contains 40.0% carbon, 6.6% hydrogen and 53.3% oxygen. Its relative
molecular mass is 180. Calculate the molecular formula of X.
First, we find the empirical formula of X.
Carbon
% (from experiment)
40.0
Ar of element
12
Number of moles

Hydrogen
6.6
1

Oxygen
53.3
16

Molar ratio
The empirical formula of X is CH2O

8)

Molar gas volume

Avogadros Law states that equal volumes of gas will contain the same no. of molecules
when under the same temperature and pressure.
(e.g., 750cm3 of CO2 and CH4 contains the same number of molecules)
Molar volume is the volume occupied by 1 mole of gas. It is 24000cm3/24dm3 under rtp.
In other words, under rtp, one mole of any gas will occupy a volume of 24dm3; 2 moles
occupy 48dm3.

1 mol of CO2 and CH4 (any gas) each will have same no. of molecules, and a similar
volume of 24dm3.

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[Chemistry] Chap 9: The Mole

Molecular formula of X = C6H12O6

9)

Calculating the number of moles of a gas

Given the mass and the name/Mr of the gas,

Given the volume of the gas,

[Chemistry] Chap 9: The Mole

Notes:

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