Balancing a chemical equation :

1. Start with the largest compound in the reaction. (This is usually on the product side).
2. Count the number of each atoms on the product side.
3. Add coefficients to ensure that the number of atoms are equal on both sides on the reaction.

NOTE – You cannot change the formula! Just change the coefficients!

State Symbols :

These are written in brackets beside each formulae in a reaction to show the physical state of the
formulae.

(s) – SOLID

(l) – LIQUID

(g) – GAS

(aq) – AQEOUS SOLUTION dissolved in water

Relative Atomic Mass (Ar) is the weighted average mass of an element relative to 1/12 th the mass of a
carbon-12 atom. It has NO UNITS!

Relative Formula Mass (Mr) is the sum of all the relative atomic masses of the elements present in a
formula.

Percentage by Mass for any element in a compound can be calculated using the formula given below.

Relative Atomic Mass of the Element

Percentage by mass = X 100
Relative Formula Mass of the Compound

The mole is a unit of the amount of substance. Mass of one mole (molar mass) of a substance is the
relative formula mass of the substance.

Mass∈ grams
Number of moles =
Molar Mass

The empirical formula shows the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms present in a compound.

The molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms of each element present in a compound.
Calculation of Empirical Formula :

Elements Cu O
Mass (in grams) 1.27 0.16
Number of moles 1.27/63.5 0.16/16
Number of moles 0.02 0.01
Divide by smaller number of 2 1
moles
Ratio 2 1

Therefore the compound contains 2 moles of Cu and 1 mole of O.

Empirical Formula = Cu2O