Mole Concept

Mole - a counting system

Avogadro’s number = 6.022×1023

Chemical calculation involving mass:

Empirical formula: The simplest formula that shows the relative numbers of the different kinds of atoms in a molecule.
Ex. Combustion of 8.23 g of alkyl halide gave 9.62 g of carbon dioxide and 3.94 g of water. Analysis of 5.32 g of
the halide gave 13.49 g of AgCl. Find the empirical formula.
In 8.23 g of the sample:
9.62
mass of carbon = ×12 = 2.624 g
44
3.94
mass of hydrogen = ×2 = 0.4377 g
18
In 5.32 g of the sample:
13.49
mass of chlorine = ×35.5 = 3.337 g
108 + 35.5
Element C H Cl
2 .624 0 .4377 3 . 337
Mass percentage
×100% = ×100% = ×100% =
8.23 8.23 5.32
31.88% 5.319% 62.73%
-1
Molar mass/ g mol 12 1 35.5
Number of mole in 100 31.88 5.319 62.73
= 2.657 = 5.319 = 1.767
g sample 12 1 35.5
Ratio of mole 2.657 5.319 1.767
= 1.503 = 3.010 =1
1.767 1.767 1.767
Simple mole ratio 1.503x2 ≅ 3 3.010x2 ≅ 6 1x2 = 2
Its empirical formula is C3H6Cl2.

Molecular formula: The formula that describes the total number of atoms of each element in molecule.
Ex. If the molecular mass of the alkyl halide is 113, find the molecular formula of the halide.
Let (C 3H6Cl2)n be the molecular formula.
Molecular mass = (3×12+4×1+2×35.5)n
= 113
13n = 113
n=1
∴ Its molecular formula is C3H6Cl2.

Chemical calculation involving gas volumes:

Ex. A student worked out the densities of different gases at 0°C and 1 atmosphere.
(a) Complete the following table.
(b) Plot a graph of molar mass against density by using the following data.
(c) Find the slope of the curve formed. What is the physical meaning of this value?
Gas Molar mass / g mol-1 Density at s.t.p. / g dm-3 Molar volume / dm3 mol-1
hydrogen 0.089
carbon monoxide 1.25
chlorine 3.20
hydrogen chloride 1.64
sulphur dioxide 2.87
argon 1.79

Mole Concept / Page 1

Avogadro’s Law:
(a) At s.t.p., one mole of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 dm3, or
(b) Equal volume of any gas(ideal gas) at the same temperature and pressure contains the same number of molecules.
Expression: V∝ n

Ex. 83 cm3 of a gaseous compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen required 498 cm3 of oxygen for complete
combustion. The volume of carbon dioxide and steam formed were found to be 332 cm3 and 415 cm3
respectively. All gas volume are measured under the same condition at 110°C. Find the molecular formula of the
compound.
Let CxHyOz be the molecular formula of the compound.
1 y y
CxHyOz (g) + (2x+ -z) O2 (g) → x CO2 (g) + H2O (g)
2 2 2
Molecule CxHyOz O2 CO2 H2O
3
Volume reacted / cm 83 498 332 415
Volume ratio 83 498 332 415
=1 =6 =4 =5
83 83 83 83
Mole ratio from equation 1 y z x y
x+ -
4 2 2
Qx = 4
y
=5
2
y z
x+ - =6
4 2
∴ y = 10
z=1
The molecular formula of the compound is C4H10O.

Chemical calculation involving concentration:

Standard solution  a solution with known concentration
Primary standard solution  A standard solution is prepared by weighing a certain mass of a solute and then diluting
to a certain concentration by using a volumetric flask.
Secondary standard solution  The concentration of a standard solution is standardized by titration.
End point  the point at which indicator changes colour
Mole Concept / Page 2
Equivalence point  the point at which the reaction (neutralization) is complete
Two important primary standards for neutralization:
oxalic acid-2-water (ethanedioic acid), H2C2O4⋅2H2O;
anhydrous sodium carbonate, Na2CO3
Indicators for neutralization:
methyl orange (yellow ↔ red)
phenolphthalein (pink ↔ colourless)
Some important primary standards for redox titration:
sodium thiosulphate, Na2S2O3;
potassium bromate (V), KBrO 3;
oxalic acid-2-water (ethanedioic acid), H2C2O4⋅2H2O
Indicator for redox titration:
starch for detection of iodine (colourless ↔ dark blue)

Ex. 1.50 g of calcium carbonate was dissolved in 40.0 cm3 of a hydrochloric acid solution. The excess acid required
25.0 cm3 of a certain sodium hydroxide solution for neutralization. 20.0 cm3 of this sodium hydroxide neutralized
16.8 cm3 of the original acid. If the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution is 0.800 M, find the purity of
the calcium carbonate.
NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)
The number of mole of NaOH reacted with 16.8 cm3 HCl = 0.02× 0.8 = 0.016 mol
The number of mole of HCl reacted with 20.0 cm3 NaOH = 0.016 mol
0.016
The original [HCl] = = 0.9524 M
0.0168
The total number of mole of HCl used = 0.04×0.9524 = 0.03810 mol
The number of mole of 25 cm3 NaOH = 0.8×0.025 = 0.02 mol
The number of mole of HCl reacted with CaCO3 = 0.03810-0.02 = 0.01810 mol
CaCO3 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) → CaCl2 (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
0.01810
The number of mole of pure CaCO3 used = = 0.009048 mol
2
The mass of pure CaCO3 used = 0.009048×100 = 0.9048 g
0.9048
The purity of CaCO3 = ×100% = 60.32%
1.5

Ideal gas equation:

1
Charle’s Law : V∝ (At constant temperature and number of mole)
P
Boyle’s Law : V∝ T (At constant pressure and number of mole)
Avogadro’s Law : V∝ n (At constant pressure and temperature)
1
Combining the above three laws : V∝ (T)(n)
P
1
V=R Tn
P
Ideal gas law : PV = nRT
or PM = ρRT
where ρ is the density of the gas,
M is the molar mass of the gas,
and R is the gas constant.
R = 8.31431 J K-1 mol-1
R = 0.0820575 dm3 atm K-1 mol-1
Ex. Hydrogen gas in a cylinder of volume 15 dm3 has a pressure of 200 kPa at 25°C. What is the mass of the
hydrogen in the tank?
P = 200000 Pa
V = 15 dm3 = 0.015 m3
T = 298 K
PV 200000 × 0.015
The number of mole of hydrogen = = = 1.211 mol
RT 8.314 × 298
The mass of hydrogen = 1.211×2 = 2.422 g
Mole Concept / Page 3
 Ex. What is the density of helium at 500°C and 100 mm Hg pressure?
T = 773 K
100
P= atm
760
Molar mass of He M = 4 g mol-1
PM 100 × 4
The density ρ at that condition = = = 0.008097 g dm-3
RT 0 .0 8 2 0 6 × 7 6 0 × 7 7 3

Dalton’s law of partial pressures:

The total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the gases in the mixture.
Partial pressure: The gas would exert the same pressure as it would if it alone occupied the same volume, at the
specified temperature.

For ideal gases: nt = nA + nB + nC + ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅

n t RT
RT n A RT n B RT nC RT
Multiplying through by : = + + + ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
V V V V V
nRT
QP =
V
∴ Pt = PA + PB + PC + ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ (1st law)
n t RT
Q Pt = ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ (1)
V
n A RT
PA = ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ (2)
V
(2) PA nA
: =
(1 ) Pt nt
PA = Pt XA
where XA is the mole fraction of the gas A.
nA
XA = (2nd law)
n A + n B + nC + ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

Ex. 10 g of hydrogen and 64 g of oxygen are contained in a 10 dm3 flask at 200°C. Calculate the total pressure of
the mixture. If a spark ignites the mixture, what will be the final pressure?
10
n H2 = = 5 mol
2
64
n O2 = = 2 mol
32
( 5 + 2 ) × 0.0 8 2 0 6 × 4 7 3
Pt = = 27.17 atm
10
The reaction occurring on sparking is 2 H2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2 H2O (g)
Since 2 moles of oxygen and 5 moles of hydrogen were initially present, the net result of the reaction is that 4
moles of steam are formed, leaving 1 mole of hydrogen
unreacted.
After sparking:
n H = 1 mol
2

n H O = 4 mol
2

( 4 + 1 ) × 0 .0 8 2 0 6 × 4 7 3
Pt = = 19.41 atm
10

Electrolysis:
Faraday’s first law of electrolysis: The mass of a substance discharged at an electrode during electrolysis is directly
proportional to the quantity of electricity.

Mole Concept / Page 4

 m∝ Q mass/g
Q = It
where Q is the quantity of electricity in Coulomb,
I is current in ampere,
t is time in second.
Charge of an electron = 1.602× 10-19 Coulomb
Charge of one mole of electrons = 6.022× 1023 e
= 6.023× 1023× 1.602× 10-19 C
Q/Coul
= 96490 C
= 1 Faraday

Ex. A solution of potassium sulphate is electrolysed using graphite electrodes. A current of 0.5 A is passed through
the electrolyte for 1930 s. Calculate
(a) the quantity of electricity passed in terms of Faraday.
(b) the volume of gas formed at the cathode at s.t.p.
(c) the mass of gas collected at the anode.
Overall reaction: 2 H2O (l) → 2H2 (g) + O2 (g)
(a) Q I = 0.5 A
t = 1930 s
Q = 0.5x1930 = 965 C = 0.01 F
(b) 2 H2O (aq) + 2 e- → H2 (g) + 2 OH- (aq)
Q 2 moles of electrons produce 1 mole of hydrogen.
0 .0 1
Number of mole of hydrogen formed = = 0.005 mol
2
Volume of hydrogen formed at s.t.p. = 0.005× 22.4 dm3 = 0.112 dm3
(c) 2 H2O (aq) → O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq) + 4 e-
Q 4 moles of electrons produces 1 mole of oxygen.
0 .0 1
Number of mole of oxygen formed at s.t.p. = = 0.0025 mol
4
mass of oxygen formed = 0.0025× 32 = 0.08 g

Faraday’s second law of electricity: The number of moles of different substances produced by the same electricity
form simple whole number ratio.
Consider 1 mole of electrons pass through the following circuit.

Pt Pt Ag Ag C C

voltammeter A voltammeter B voltammeter C

H2SO4 (aq) AgNO3 (aq) Conc. NaCl (aq)

For voltammeter A:
1
Anode: 2 H2O (l) → O2 (g) + 4 H+ (aq) + 4 e- mole of O2 is produced.
4
1
Cathode: 2 H+ (aq) + 2 e- → H2 (g) mole of H2 is produced.
2
For voltammeter B:
Mole Concept / Page 5
 Anode: Ag (aq) → Ag+ (aq) + e- 1mole of Ag+ is produced.
Cathode: Ag+ (aq) + e- → Ag (aq) 1mole of Ag is produced.
For voltammeter C:
1
Anode: 2 Cl- (aq) → Cl2 (g) + 2 e- mole of Cl2 is produced.
2
1
Cathode: 2 H+ (aq) + 2 e- → H2 (g) mole of H2 is produced.
2
Ex. Consider the following circuit:

Mg Cu Cu Cu

MgSO4 (aq) CuSO4 (aq) CuSO4 (aq)

Left-hand side is an ______________. Right-hand side is an ____________.

Anode: Anode:

Cathode: Cathode:

Overall reaction: Overall reaction:

Changes in solution: Changes in solution:

Changes at electrodes: Changes at electrodes:

Mole Concept / Page 6