Chemistry IAS - XCH11

Topic 1: Formulae, Equations and Amount of Substance

1.1 Definitions of terms
 Atom – Simplest particles of a matter. The smallest part of an element that has the properties of
that element.

 Element - Elements are chemically the simplest substances so they cannot be broken down using
chemical reactions.

- An element is composed of atoms that have the same atomic number.

Eg. Oxygen – O , Neon – Ne

 Molecule - a molecule as a particle made of two or more atoms bonded together

- If a molecule contains atoms of the same element, then the result is a molecule of an element.
Eg. Oxygen – O2 - two same elements, O

 Compound If a molecule contains atoms of two or more different elements, then the result is a
molecule of a compound.
Eg. Water – H2O - two different elements , O and H

 Ion - an ion is a species consisting of one or more atoms joined together and having a positive or
negative charge.

- Cation - an ion with a positive charge, Anion - an ion with a negative charge.

Eg. Na+ , Cl –

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Different types of molecule according to the number of atoms available –

type of molecule description example

1 Monatomic Elements that are made up of single atoms He, Ne

2 Diatomic Elements and compounds made up of two atoms O2 , N2

joined together

3 Polyatomic Elements and compounds with molecules made up of P4 , CH4

several atoms joined together

Different types of ions according to the number of atoms available –

1 Monatomic ion - Na+ , Cl –
2 Diatomic ion - OH –
3 Polyatomic ion - SO4 2–

Try this

 Empirical formula -the smallest whole number ratio of the atoms of each element in a compound.
Eg. - H2O Hydrogen to Oxygen ratio;

H: O = 2: 1
- C2H6 Carbon to Hydrogen ratio;
C: H = 2:6 , 1: 3

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  Molecular formula - a compound shows the actual numbers of the atoms of each element in the
compound

Eg.

empirical formula molecular formula

hydrogen peroxide HO H2O2

butane C2H5 C4H10

Try this:

1 Write the empirical formula of the following compounds.

a) C2H2 b) C2H6O c) C3H8O2