Atoms and Molecules

Antoine L. Lavoisier proposed Laws of Chemical Combination

(1) LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MASS

Law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor
destroyed in a chemical reaction.

(2) LAW OF CONSTANT PROPORTIONS

In a chemical substance the elements are always present in definite proportions

by mass.

To explain the above laws, John Dalton gave Atomic Theory with following postulates :

(i) All matter is made of very tiny particles called atoms.

(ii) Atoms are indivisible particles, which cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical
reaction.

(iii) Atoms of a given element are identical in mass and chemical properties.

(iv) Atoms of different elements have different masses and chemical properties.

(v) Atoms combine in the ratio of small whole numbers to form compounds.

(vi) The relative number and kinds of atoms are constant in a given compound.

What is an Atom?

Atom gets its name from a Greek word meaning “indivisible”. An atom is a building
building block of matter though it is proved to be divisible.

−9
Size of an atom is measured in nanometers. 1nm = 10 m
How do Elements get their name?

- Dalton was the first scientist to use the symbols for elements in a very specific
sense.
- Berzilius suggested that the symbols of elements be made from one or two letters
of the name of the element.
- In the beginning, the names of elements were derived from the name of the place
where they were found for the first time.
- Now-a-days, IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) approves
names of elements.

What is Atomic Mass ?

One atomic mass unit is a mass unit equal to exactly one-twelfth (1/12th) the mass of
one atom of carbon-12. The relative atomic masses of all elements have been found with
respect to an atom of carbon-12.

atomic mass unit (amu) is also written as unified mass (u)

What is a molecule?

A molecule is a group of two or more atoms that are chemically bonded together i.e.
tightly held together by attractive forces. An atom is not necessarily capable of
independent existence but a molecule can exist independently.

Molecules of Elements : Molecules made of single atom

Monoatomic : Single atoms eg all noble gases He, Ar etc

Diatomic : Molecule consisting of 2 atoms eg 𝑂2

Triatomic : Molecule consisting of 3 atoms eg ozone 𝑂3

Tetra-atomic : 𝑃4
Poly-atomic : 𝑆8

Molecules of Compound : Molecules made of multiple atoms in definite proportion

What is an Ion?

Charged atoms of group of atoms is called an ion. A negatively charged ion is called an

anion and the positively charged ion, a cation.

+ −1
Monoatomic Ions : Eg NaCl is made of a cation ( 𝑁𝑎 ) and an anion ( 𝐶𝑙 )

+
Polyatomic Ions : Ions made of multiple atoms eg 𝑁𝐻 4
(ammonium ion) is a cation

What is Molecular Mass?

The molecular mass of a molecule is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in a
molecule of the substance. It is therefore the relative mass of a molecule expressed in
atomic mass units (u). Calculated for Molecular compounds.

What is formula Unit Mass?

The formula unit mass of a substance is a sum of the atomic masses of all atoms in a
formula unit of a compound. Calculated same as molecular mass but for ionic
compounds. It is also expressed in atomic mass units (u)

Mole Concept

One mole of any species (atoms, molecule, ion or particle) is that quantity in numbers
having a mass equal to its atomic or molecular mass in grams.

The number of particles (atoms, molecules or ions) present in 1 mole of any substance is
23
fixed, with a value of 6.022 × 10 (Avogadro’s number)

Molar mass of atoms (also known as gram atomic mass) is the atomic mass or molecular
mass in grams.
The word “mole” was introduced by Wilhelm Ostwald who derived the term from the
Latin word moles meaning a ‘heap’ or ‘pile’. A substance may be considered as a heap of
atoms or molecules.

Refer the below periodic table for atomic mass and valencies of elements.
ASSIGNMENT

QUESTION 1 : Write down the formulae of

(i) sodium oxide

(ii) aluminium chloride

(iii) sodium sulfide

(iv) magnesium hydroxide

(v) Magnesium chloride

(vi) Calcium oxide

(vii) Copper nitrate

(viii) Aluminium chloride

(ix) Calcium carbonate.

QUESTION 2. Write down the names of following compounds :

(i) Al 2(SO 4) 3

(ii) CaCl 2

(iii) K 2SO 4

(iv) KNO 3

(v) CaCO 3

QUESTION 3. What is meant by the term Chemical Formula?

QUESTION 4 : How many atoms are present in a

(i) H 2S molecule
 3−
(ii) PO 4
ion

QUESTION 5: Calculate the molecular masses of

(i) H 2
(ii) O 2
(iii) Cl 2
(iv) CO 2
(v) C 2H 6
(vi) NH 3

QUESTION 6: Calculate the formula unit masses of ZnO, Na 2O, K 2CO 3

given atomic masses of Zn = 65 u, Na = 23 u, K = 39 u, C = 12 u, and O = 16 u.

QUESTION 7 : If one mole of carbon atoms weighs 12 grams, what is the mass (in
grams) of 1 atom of carbon?

QUESTION 8 : Which has more number of atoms, 100 grams of sodium or 100
grams of iron (given, atomic mass of Na = 23 u, Fe = 56 u)?

QUESTION 9 : A 0.24 g sample of compound of oxygen and boron was found by

analysis to contain 0.096 g of boron and 0.144 g of oxygen. Calculate the
percentage composition of the compound by weight.

QUESTION 10 : When 3.0 g of carbon is burnt in 8.00 g oxygen, 11.00 g of carbon

dioxide is produced. What mass of carbon dioxide will be formed when 3.00 g of
carbon is burnt in 50.00 g of oxygen? Which law of chemical combination will
govern your answer?

QUESTION 11 : Give the names of the elements present in the following

compounds.

(a) Quick lime

(b) Hydrogen bromide

(c) Baking powder

(d) Potassium sulphate.

QUESTIOn 12 : Calculate the molar mass of the following substances.

(a) Ethyne, C 2H 2

(b) Sulphur molecule, S 8

(c) Phosphorus molecule, P 4

(Atomic mass of phosphorus = 31)

(d) Hydrochloric acid, HCl

(e) Nitric acid, HNO 3

QUESTION 13 : What is the mass of (a) 1 mole of nitrogen atoms?

(b) 4 moles of aluminium atoms (Atomic mass of aluminium = 27)?

(c) 10 moles of sodium sulphite (Na 2SO 3)

QUESTION 14 : Convert into mole.

(a) 12 g of oxygen gas

(b) 20 g of water

(c) 22 g of carbon dioxide.

QUESTION 15 : What is the mass of:

(a) 0.2 mole of oxygen atoms

(b) 0.5 mole of water molecules

QUESTION 16 : Calculate the number of molecules of sulphur (S 8) present in 16 g

of solid sulphur.

QUESTIOn 17 : Calculate the number of aluminium ions present in 0.051 g of

aluminium oxide. (Atomic mass of Al = 27 u)