Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO MATTER
1.1 Atoms & Molecules
1.1.1 Classification of Matter
1.1.2 Introduction to Atoms
1.1.3 Mass Spectrometer
1.2 The Mole Concept
1.3 Matter & Measurements
1.3.1 Basics
1.3.2 Concentration Units
1.4 Chemical Formulae
1.4.1 Chemical Nomenclature
1.4.2 Empirical & Molecular Formula
1.5 Stoichiometry
1.5.1 Limiting Reagents
1.5.2 Reaction Yield
1.5.3 Solution Stoichiometry

1.1 Atoms & Molecules

1.1.1 Classification of Matter
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes
1. Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass.
2. A substance is a form of matter that has a definite composition
and distinct properties.
e.g. water, ammonia, sucrose, gold, oxygen

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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

A mixture is a combination of two or more substances in which the

substances retain their distinct identities.
Homogenous mixture

composition of the mixture is the same

throughout. e.g. soft drink, milk, solder

Heterogeneous mixture composition is not uniform throughout.

E.g. cement, iron filings in sand
Physical means can be used to separate a mixture into its pure
components.
An element is a substance that cannot be separated into simpler
substances by chemical means.
A compound is a substance composed of atoms of two or more
elements chemically united in fixed proportions. Compounds can only
be separated into their pure components (elements) by chemical
means.
Zn(s) + 2 HCl (aq) ZnCl2(aq) + 2 H2(g)
2 H2O(l) 2 H2(g) + O2(g)
Three states of matter: SOLID, LIQUID, GAS
A physical change does not alter the composition or identity of a
substance
2 H2O(l) H2O(g)
A chemical change alters the composition or identity of the
substance(s) involved
2 H2O(g) 2 H2(g) + O2(g)
MATTER anything that occupies space and has mass.
MASS

measure of the quantity of matter. SI unit of mass is

the kilogram (kg)

WEIGHT force that gravity exerts on an object

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1.1.2 Introduction to Atoms

Rutherfords Model of Atom

nucleus
electron cloud

Bohrs Model of Atom

Modern Model of the Atom:

Quantum Mechanics

Mass
(g)

Particle

Charge
(Coulombs)

Electron (e-) 9.1 x 10-28

Charge
(units)

-1.6 x 10-19

-1

Proton (p+)

1.67 x 10-24 +1.6 x 10-19

+1

Neutron (n)

1.67 x 10-24

Proton number (Z) = No. of protons in nucleus

Nucleon number (A) = No. of protons + No. of neutrons
= Proton number (Z) + No. of neutrons

Nucleon Number
Proton Number

A
Z

X
3

Element Symbol

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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

Exercise 1:

A
Z

1. ______ is the proton number.

2. It is the total number of _________ in an atomic nucleus.
3. A is the _________________ of the nuclide X.
4. Nucleon number is defined as the total number of _________
and _________ in an atomic nucleus.

84
36

Kr

216
O
8

59
3+
Co
27

5. The nucleon number of Kr = _____

6. The proton number of Co3+ = _____
7. The number of neutrons in Kr = _____
8. ____ contains 10 electrons.
9. Co3+ consists of ____ protons, ____ electrons and _____
neutrons.

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of

neutrons in their nuclei

Hydrogen atom
isotopes:

1
1
protium

2
1
deuterium

3
1
tritium

Proton Number:

Nucleon Number:

Number of Neutrons:

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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

Some isotopes are unstable. These unstable isotopes may break-up

to form smaller atoms and subatomic particles. This process is known
as radioactive decay.
This process involves emmission of radioactive rays.
For example
-decay of uranium-235
235
92

-decay of carbon-14
14
6

4
2

0
-1

He
e

231
90

Th

14
7

1.1.3 Mass Spectrometer

The mass spectrometer is machine used:
- to determine the relative atomic mass of an element
- to determine the relative molecular mass of a compound
- to determine the types of isotopes, their relative isotopic masses,
and the abundance of the isotopes of an element
- to recognize the structure of an unknown compound

D
B

B
A

E
D

A
C
A

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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

A) Vaporisation Chamber
Sample of the element is vaporised into gaseous atom.
A pump maintains a vacuum inside the mass spectrometer as any air
molecules inside would block the movement of the ions and to avoid
the contamination of the sample.
B) Ionisation Chamber
A hot filament emits high-energy electrons. When the electrons
collide with the gaseous sample (atom or molecule), positive ions are
produced by dislodging an electron from each atom or molecule
C) Acceleration Chamber
The positive ions are accelerated by an electric field towards the two
oppositely charged plates. The electric field is produced by a high
voltage between the two plates. The emerging ions are of high and
constant velocity.
D) Magnetic Field
The positive ions are separated and deflected into a circular path by a
magnet according to its m/e ratio.
E) Ion Detector
The numbers of ions and types of isotopes are recorded as a mass
spectrum.
Example: Mass Spectrum Of Rubidium
The mass spectrum of
rubidium shows that
naturally occurring rubidium
consists of two isotopes (two
peaks): 85Rb and 87Rb.

Relative Abundance

18
7
85

87

m/e

The height of each line is

proportional to the
abundance of each isotope.

In this example, Rb-85 is more abundant than Rb-87.

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Calculation
a) What is the relative atomic mass of Rb?
(mi x Qi)
Ar Rb =

Qi

=
=

(85 x 18) + (87 x 7)

(18 + 7)
85.56

b) What is the percentage abundance of each of the isotopes?

18
x 100 = 72 %
% 85Rb =
25
% 87Rb = 100 72 = 28 %

1.2 The Mole Concept

1.2.1 Basics
RELATIVE ATOMIC MASS is the mass of an atom measured in
relative to the mass of 1/12 the mass of a 12C atom.
Relative Atomic Mass, Ar, is written in atomic mass units (amu). But
sometimes, no units are used..
Notice that relative atomic mass of elements are usually not in round
numbers. This is because most elements contain isotopes. Relative
atomic mass of elements (that contain isotopes) are determined by
calculating the average mass of all its naturally existing isotopes.
The mole (mol) is the amount of a substance that contains as many
elementary entities as there are atoms in exactly 12.000 grams of 12C
1 mol = NA = 6.0221367 X 1023
Avogadros number (NA)

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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

Mole (symbol = mol): The amount of substance that contains as many

elementary particles as there are atoms in exactly 12.000 g of 12C.
1 mol = 6.022 x 1023 particles
(Avogadros constant = 6.022 x 1023 mol1 )
1 12C atom = 12.00 amu
but
1 mole 12C atoms = 6.022 X 1023 atoms = 12.00 g
For any element,
Relative Atomic Mass (amu) = Molar Mass (grams)
For all substances, the molar mass in grams per mole is numerically
equal to the formula weight in atomic mass units.
Molar Mass = Ar or Mr (in g mol1)
Example: How many atoms are in 0.551 g of potassium (K)?
1 mol K = 39.10 g K
= 6.022 x 1023 atoms K
23
6.022
x
10
atom
Number of K atoms = 0.551 g X
39.10 g
= 8.49 x 1021 atoms

Relative Molecular Mass (or molecular weight) is the sum of the

atomic masses (in amu) in a molecule.
Due to the fact that the quantity of gaseous materials depends on its
pressure, temperature and/or volume, 1 mol of any substance in this
state would occupy different volumes.
Room Temp. &
Pressure (R.T.P.)

T = 25oC (298 K)

Standard Room Temp.

& Pressure (S.T.P.)

T = 25oC (298 K)

P = 1 atm (101 325 Pa)

P = 1 atm (101 325 Pa)

8

24.0 L mol-1
22.4 L mol-1

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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

1.3 Matter & Measurements

1.3.1 Basics
S.I. Base Units
Base Quantity
Length
Mass
Time
Current
Temperature
Amount of substance
Luminous intensity

Name of Unit
meter
kilogram
second
ampere
kelvin
mole
candela

Symbol
m
kg
s
A
K
mol
cd

VOLUME S.I. derived unit for volume is cubic meter (m3).

but in chemistry, dm3 (or litres) are usually used.
1 cm3 = (1 x 10-2 m)3 = 1 x 10-6 m3
1 dm3 = (1 x 10-1 m)3 = 1 x 10-3 m3
1L

1,000 mL

= 1,000 cm3

= 1 dm3

1 mL = 1 cm3
DENSITY S.I. SI derived unit for density is kg/m3
mass
density =
volume
Significant Figures
Any digit that is not zero is significant
1.234 kg 4 significant figures
Zeros between nonzero digits are significant
606 m
3 significant figures
Zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant
0.08 L
1 significant figure
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Significant Figures
If a number is greater than 1, then all zeros to the right of the decimal
point are significant
2.0 mg
2 significant figures
If a number is less than 1, then only the zeros that are at the end and in
the middle of the number are significant
0.00420 g 3 significant figures

ACCURACY how close a measurement is to the true value

PRECISION how close a set of measurements are to each other

1.3.2 Concentration Units

The concentration of solutions is the quantity of dissolved substance
per unit quantity of solvent in a solution. Concentration is measured
in various ways:
Molarity
weight/volume per cent
Molal concentration (or
Molality)

mole fraction
parts per million

weight per cent

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A) Molarity
The number of mole of dissolved solute divided by the volume of the
mixture.
Symbol: M (sometimes the symbol c is used)
Unit:

mol L1 or mol dm3 or M

M =

n (mol)
Vsolution (L or dm-3)

Example: A student prepared a solution by dissolving 0.586 g of

sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 in 250.0 cm3 of water.
Calculate its concentration.

B) Molal Concentration (Molality)

The number of mole of dissolved solute divided by the mass (in kg)
of the solvent.
Unit: mol Kg1 or molal or m

Symbol: m or M

M =

n (mol)
msolvent (Kg)

Example: Calculate the molal concentration of ethylene glycol

(C2H6O2) solution containing 8.40 g of ethylene glycol in
200 g of water. The molar mass of ethylene glycol is 62
g/mol.

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C) Weight per Cent (Per Cent By Mass)

Mass ratio between solute and solution.
Symbol: % w/w
Unit: %
10% w/w of NaOH means 10 g NaOH dissolved in 90 g of water (solvent).
% w/w =

msolute
msolution

Note:
msolution = msolute + msolvent

Example: A sample of 0.892 g of potassium chloride, KCl is

dissolved in 54.3 g of water. What is the per cent by
mass of KCl in this solution?

D) Weight/Volume per Cent

The ratio between the mass of the solute and the volume of the solution.
Symbol: % w/v
Unit: % g/mL
5% w/v of KCl means that 5 g of KCl is dissolved in 100 mL of KCl
(aq) solution.
% w/v =

msolute
Vsolution

Example: What mass of NaCl is needed to prepare 250 mL of 0.9%

w/v solution

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E) Mole Fraction
The ratio between the numbers of mole of a component compared to
the total number of moles of every component found in the solution.
Symbol:
xA =

xA (mole fraction for A)

Unit: none

nA = number of mol of component A in a mixture

nA
nT

of two or more component

nT = total number of moles of all the components
(including A) in a mixture

Example: What is the mole fraction of CuCl2 in a solution prepared

by dissolving 0.30 mol of CuCl2 in 40.0 mol of H2O.

F) Parts per Million

Percentages (%) are parts per hundred.
Parts per million (ppm) is quantity of component (in grams) in 106 g
of the mixture.
Symbol:

Cppm

Unit:

ppm @ mg/L @ g/g @ g/mL @ mg/kg

Cppm =

mass of solute (g)

Volume of solution (g)

X 106

Example: The concentration of calcium ions in blood is 100.0 ppm.

Calculate the mass of calcium ions in 500.0 g of blood.

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1.4 Chemical Formulae

A diatomic molecule contains only two atoms: O2, Br2, HCl, CO
A polyatomic molecule contains more than two atoms: O3, H2O, NH3
An ion is an atom, or group of atoms, that has a net positive or
negative charge
CATION ion with a positive charge. If a neutral atom loses one or
more electrons it becomes a cation
ANION ion with a negative charge. If a neutral atom gains one or
more electrons it becomes an anion.
27

How many protons and electrons are in 13

Al

3+

protons = 13
electrons = 13 3 = 10
A monatomic ion contains only one atom: Na+, Cl-, Ca2+, O2A polyatomic ion contains more than one atom: OH-, CN-, NH4+, NO3Ionic compounds consist of a combination of cations and anions.
the formula is always the same as the empirical formula
the sum of the charges on the cation(s) and anion(s) in each
formula unit must equal zero
2 x +3 = +6
3+

Al

3 x -2 = -6

Al2O3

O2-

1.4.1 Chemical Nomenclature

Ionic Compounds
often a metal + nonmetal
anion (nonmetal), add suffix ide to element name
Mg(OH)2 magnesium hydroxide
BaCl barium chloride
Pb(CN)2

K2O potassium oxide

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lead cyanide
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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

Transition metal ionic compounds

indicate charge on metal with Roman numerals

FeCl2 2 Cl -2, so Fe is +2

Iron(II) chloride

FeCl3 3 Cl -3, so Fe is +3

Iron(III) chloride

Cr2S3

3 S2- -6, so Cr is
= +3 Chromium(III) sulfide
2

Note that the Roman numeral is written in parenthesis and is joined to

the name of the metal.
Molecular Compounds
nonmetals or nonmetals + metalloids
The name of the first element in the formula is the same as in
the periodic table. But the last element ends in the suffix ide.
HCl hydrogen chloride
HBr hydrogen bromide
SiC silicon carbide
If there are more than one combination of compounds from the
same elements, the prefix mono, di, tri etc to denote
number of atoms in the molecule.
NO nitrogen monoxide
NO2 nitrogen dioxide
N2O4 dinitrogen tetroxide
Some compounds are more commonly known by their
traditional names (which may be non-systematic), or for organic
compounds, they have their own systematic nomenclature.
H2O water

CH4

NH3 ammonia

C2H4 ethene

15

methane

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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

Acids
Acids is usually named according to its physical state
Acid

Molecular Form

Aqueous Form

HCl

hydrogen chloride

hydrochloric acid

HBr

hydrogen bromide

hydrobromic acid

HI

hydrogen iodide

hydroiodic acid

HCN

hydrogen cyanide

hydrocyanic acid

H2S

hydrogen sulphide

hydrosulphuric acid

Oxoacids: are acids that contain H, O & another element.

The formulas are normally written with the H first, and the O
last.
Acid

Name

HNO3

Nitric acid

H2CO3

Carbonic acid

H2SO4

Sulphuric acid

HClO3

Chloric acid

Some oxoacids have the same central element but contain

different number H & O.
Naming oxoacids
more oxygen

per + Name of element + ic

HClO4

perchloric acid

normal oxoacid
e.g. HClO3

Name of element + ic

less 1 oxygen

Name of element + ous

HClO2

chlorous acid

least oxygen

hypo + Name of element + ous

HClO

hypochlorous acid

chloric acid

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Likewise, this system applies similarly to oxoanions

more oxygen

per + Name of anion + ate

NaClO4

sodium perchlorate

normal oxoacid
e.g. NaClO3

Name of anion + ate

less 1 oxygen

Name of anion + ite

NaClO2

sodium chlorite

least oxygen

hypo + Name of anion + ite

NaClO

sodium hypochlorite

sodium chlorate

Therefore...
H2SO4 hydrogen sulphate

KNO3

potassium nitrate

H2SO3 hydrohen sulphite

(less one O)

KNO2

potassium nitrite
(less one O)

Bases
Bases contain hydroxide ion or yields hydroxide ions when dissolved
in water.
KOH

potassium hydroxide

NaOH

sodium hydroxide

Ba(OH)2

barium hydroxide

1.4.2 Empirical & Molecular Formula

Percent Composition
PERCENT
n X molar mass of element
COMPOSITION
X 100%
=
of an element in a
molar mass of compound
compound
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Molecular Formula & Empirical Formula

A molecular formula shows the exact number of atoms of each
element in the smallest unit of a substance.
An empirical formula shows the simplest whole-number ratio of the
atoms in a substance
Compounds with different molecular formulae can have the same
empirical formula, and such substances will have the same
percentage composition
We can use percent composition to determine the empirical formula
of a compound
Example
Determine the empirical formula for ethanol. If the combustion of
11.5 g ethanol is found to produce 22.0 g CO2 and 13.5 g H2O.

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1.5 Stoichiometry
Stoichiometry is the calculation of the quantities of reactants and
products involved in a chemical reaction.
A + 2B C + 3D
Based upon a balanced chemical equation, we know the mol ratio of
reactants and products, thus we are able to determine the quantity of
any one of these if the required amount of information is available.
Example
Methanol burns in air according to the equation
2 CH3OH + 3 O2 2 CO2 + 4 H2O
If 209 g of methanol are used up in the combustion, what mass of
water is produced?

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1.5.1 Limiting Reagents

Normally the amount of reactants that are put together for a reaction is
not in the exact proportion as stated in the equation.
The limiting reagent is ENTIRELY CONSUMED and limits the
amount of products that can be formed because of its INSUFFICIENT
QUANTITY
The excess reagent does not take part in reaction because it is the
balance of what is left AFTER the reaction has consumed the other
(limited) reactant(s).

All 6 used
6 balance (leftover)
Example
In one process, 124 g of Al are reacted with 601 g of Fe2O3
2 Al + Fe2O3 Al2O3 + 2 Fe
Calculate the mass of Al2O3 formed.

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1.5.2 Reaction Yield

But sometimes in a chemical reaction, we find ourselves in a situation
whereby we DONT GET what we are SUPPOSED TO GET
Theoretical Yield is the amount of product that would result if all
the limiting reagent reacted.
Actual Yield

is the amount of product actually obtained from

a reaction.

% Yield =

Actual Yield
x 100
Theoretical Yield

Example
Cu + 2 AgNO3 Cu(NO3)2 + 2 Ag
When 10.0 g of copper was reacted with excess silver nitrate solution,
30.0 g of silver was obtained.
a) What is the maximum number of grams of Ag that could have
been obtained?
b) What was the actual yield of Ag in grams?
c) Calculate the percentage yield for this reaction.

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1.5.3 Solution Stoichiometry

Example 1
What mass of KI is required to make 500 mL of a 2.80 M KI solution?

Example 2
A particular analytical chemistry procedure requires 0.0500 M K2CrO4.
What volume of 0.250 M K2CrO4 must be diluted with water to prepare
100 mL of 0.0500 M K2CrO4?

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In a titration, a solution of accurately known concentration is

gradually added to another solution of unknown concentration until
the chemical reaction between the two solutions is complete.
During titration, the point whereby the reaction is completed is called
the equivalence point
The INDICATOR is the substance that changes color at (or near) the
equivalence point. It functions as a marker to indicate when the
reaction is completed.
Example 3
A 25.00 mL sample of HCl solution is titrated against Na2CO3
solution of 0.150 M. It requires 21.20 mL of Na2CO3 for complete
neutralisation. Calculate the concentration of HCl solution.

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EXERCISE
1. Copper exist naturally on Earth as 63Cu and 65Cu with an isotopic ratio of 2.333
respectively. Based on the carbon-12 scale, the relative isotopic mass of 63Cu = 62.9396
and 65Cu = 64.9278. Determine the relative atomic mass of copper.
[63.54]

2. Natural lithium is: 7.42% 6Li (6.015 amu) and 92.58% 7Li (7.016 amu). Calculate the
relative atomic mass of lithium metal.
[6.941]

3. How many H atoms are in 72.5 g of C3H8O?

[5.82 x 1024 atoms H]

4. A sample of iron, Fe, weighs 1.00 kg. What is the amount (mole) of Fe?
[17.9 mol]

5. Calculate the number of atoms in 0.20 mol of magnesium.

[1.2 X 1023 atoms]

6. How many moles are there in 6.5 L oxygen at STP?

[0.29 mol]

7. How much space is needed to fill 3.2 moles of methane gas at room temperature?
[76.8]

8. An antacid tablet contains 450 mg Na2CO3. When swallowed, the Na2CO3 reacts with
gastric secretion which contains hydrochloric acid (HCl), according to the reaction
equation,
Na2CO3 + 2 HCl 2 NaCl + CO2 + H2O
How many grams of HCl were neutralized by the tablet?
[0.031g]

9. Calculate the mass of (NH4)2CO3 that contains

a) 0.300 mol NH4+
b) 6.02 x 1023 H atoms
10. How many moles of water can fill a half litre bottle? (the density of water is 1.00 g/mL)
11. Determine the density of oxygen and helium gas at STP. (nHe = 4.003 g/mol;
nO = 16.00 g/mol)
12. Seawater is typically 3.5% sea salt and has a density of about 1.03 g/mL. How many
grams of sea salt would be needed to prepare enough seawater solution to completely fill
a 62.5 L aquarium?

[2.25 X 103 g]

13. An experiment calls for a 0.150 m solution of sodium chloride in water. How many
grams of NaCl would have to be dissolved in 500.0 g of water to prepare a solution of
this molality?
[4.38 g]

14. What is the molality of 10.0% (w/w) aqueous NaCl?

[1.90 m]

15. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) cures scurvy and may help prevent the common cold. It is
composed of 40.92% carbon, 4.58% hydrogen and 54.50% oxygen by mass. The molar
mass of ascorbic acid is 176 g mol1. Determine its empirical formula and molecular
formula.
[C6H8O6]

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16. A compound Y with chemical formula as shown below:
CH2=CHCOOCH3
Write the empirical formula and molecular formula of the compound. Calculate the
percentage composition of carbon in the compound Y.
17. Urea, (NH2)2CO, is prepared by reacting ammonia with carbon dioxide.
2 NH3(g) + CO2(g) (NH2)2CO(aq) + H2O(l)
In one process, 637.2 g of ammonia are allowed to react with 1142 g of CO2.
a) Which of the two reactants is the limiting reagent?
b) Calculate the mass of (NH2)2CO formed and,
c) Determine the amount of excess reagent (in grams) that is left at the end of the
reaction.
[NH3 = limiting reagent, 1124 g (NH2)2CO, 319 g CO2]

18. Titanium is a strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal that is used in rockets, aircraft,
bicycle frames, and even sports cars. It is prepared by the reaction of titanium(IV)
chloride with molten magnesium between 950o to 1150oC.
TiCl4 (g) + 2 Mg (l) Ti (s) + 2 MgCl2(l)
In a certain industrial operation, 3.54 X 107 g of TiCl4 are reacted with 1.13 X 107 g of
Mg. Calculate the theoretical yield of Ti in grams. If 7.91 X 106 g of Ti is actually
obtained, determine the percent yield.
[8.93 X 106 g Ti, 88.6 %]

19. What mass of KI is required to make 500. mL of a 2.80 M KI solution?

20. A 16.42 mL volume of 0.1327 M KMnO4 solution is needed to oxidise 20.00 mL of a
FeSO4 solution in an acidic medium. What is the concentration of the FeSO4 ? A 16.42
mL volume of 0.1327 M KMnO4 solution is needed to oxidise 20.00 mL of a FeSO4
solution in an acidic medium. What is the concentration of the FeSO4?
[0.5450 M]

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STPM Past Year Questions

Q3-P2-2003
b) Kaolinite, Al2Si2O5(OH)4, is a hydrated aluminosilicate mineral
clay which is able to absorb cations in aqueous solutions on its
surface according to the following equilibrium equation:
M+ + Al2Si2O5(OH)3OH
Al2Si2O5(OH)3OM + H+
(i) state the oxidation number of silicon in kaolinite.

Q9-P2-2000
a) (i) Define relative atomic mass.
(ii) The relative atomic mass of X is 30.97. How many times is
one atom of X heavier than one atom of carbon-12?
(iii) Naturally occurring sulphur consists of four isotopes with
relative abundance shown in the table below.
Relative Isotopic Mass

Relative Abundance (%)

31.97

95.02

32.97

0.75

33.96

4.21

35.96

0.02

Calculate the relative atomic mass of sulphur

b) The mass spectrum of 1,2-dichloropropane shows peaks at
mass/charge ratio of 112, 114, and 116.
(i) If 1,2-dichloropropane consists of isotopes: hydrogen-1,
carbon-12, chlorine-35 and chlorine-37, give the formulae of
the ions responsible for the peaks.
(ii) If the ratio of chlorine-35 to chlorine-37 is 3:1, determine the
relative abundance of the three peaks.
(iii) Sketch and label the mass spectrum of 1,2-dichloropropane
showing the peaks concerned.

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 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

Q10-P2-2002
a) An organic compound, P, with a relative molecular mass of 126.5,
has the following composition by mass: carbon, 66.4%; chlorine,
28.1%; and hydrogen, 5.5%. Determine the molecular formula of P.

Q7-P2-1999
a) A hydrocarbon with an empirical formula C7H6, and a relative
molecular mass of 180 contains 93.33% carbon, and 6.67%
hydrogen by mass. Determine the molecular formula of this
hydrocarbon.

Q5-P1-Nov 1973
Figure 2 shows the distances of ions in the mass spectrometer of
bromine gas. The bromine used consists of its isotopes with a nucleon
number of 79 and 81. The atomic mass of bromine is 79.9.
The three groups of lines; A, B and C, is produced by ions Br+(g),
Br2+(g) and Br2+(g). State which of the ions give the following lines.
(a) Group A
(b) Group B
(c) Group C

1 2
A

1 2
B

1 2
C

Identify all the lines in groups B and C. Underline the spectrum which
has the highest abundance.

27

Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

Matriculation Past Year Questions

Jan 1999
Two common isotopes of chlorine are 35Cl and 37Cl. The relative
abundance of natural occurring isotopes is as follows:
35
Cl
= 3.127
37
Cl
a) Using chlorine as an example, explain the meaning of isotope.
b) With reference to 12C = 12.00 scale, the relative isotopic mass
of 35Cl and 37Cl are 34.9689 and 36.9659 respectively.
Calculate the relative atomic mass of chlorine.

June 1999
Air contains 21% oxygen gas. Natural oxygen consists of three
isotopes; 16O, 17O, and 18O.
a) Write all possible molecular formulae of oxygen that might
exist in our air.
b) A mixture of these isotopes was analysed in a mass
spectrometer. A stream of univalent positive ions produced is
deflected by the magnetic field and is detected by the ion
detector. Which ion would deflect least? Explain.
c) Calculate the molar mass of the heaviest oxygen gas.

Mar 2002
Analysis of mass spectrometer shows that copper consists of two
naturally occurring isotopes: 63Cu and 65Cu. If the ratio of relative
abundance of these two isotopes is
63
Cu
= 2.235
65
Cu
Calculate the percentage of relative abundance of each copper isotope.

28

Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

 Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006

29

Lau Kah Pew STPM 2006