STOICHIOMETRY

Stoichiometry is the study of the quantitative relationship

between two or more substances undergoing a physical
or chemical change (chemical reaction), It deals with the
mass or volume of products and reactants.

COMPOUNDS
A compound is made of two or more elements
chemically combined together. Example: H2S, CO2,
Na2CO3e.t.c.

RULES TO FOLLOW WHEN NAMING

COMPOUNDS
1.WHEN THE COMPOUND CONTAINS A METAL AND NON
METAL
The name of the metal is given first
And then the name of the non-metal ending with “-ide”.
Example sodium chloride, magnesium oxide.

2. WHEN THE COMPOUND IS MADE OF TWO NON-

METALS
 If one is hydrogen it is named first.
Otherwise the one with the lower group number is named
first.
 Then the name of the other non-metal ending with “-
ide”. Example hydrogen chloride, carbon dioxide.
 But some compounds have everyday names, such as
water, ammonia, methane, you just have to remember
their formulae.

MOLECULAR FORMULA
The molecular formula of a compound is the formula that
shows the number and type of different atoms in one
molecule.
DEDUCING THE FORMULA OF SIMPLE
COMPOUNDS
To figure out the chemical formula of a given compound
all you need to know are the valencies of the atoms that
make the compound.
The valency is the amount of electrons an atom has to
gain or lose in order to achieve a full outer shell.
You can figure out the valency of an atom through the
periodic table.
Group I II III IV V VI VII VIII/0
Valency 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 0

On the other hand, oxidation state of an atom is the

number of electrons lost or gained by it.

Group I II III IV V VI VII VIII/0

Valency 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 0
Oxidatio +1 +2 +3 4 -3 -2 -1 0
n
Number

WRITING FORMULAS USING VALENCIES OR

IONS PRESENT
 Write down the valencies of the two elements
 Write down their symbols, in the same order as the
elements in the name.
 Add numbers after the symbols if you need to balance
the valencies. Example;
What is the formula of Hydrogen Sulphide?
Valencies; Hydrogen Sulphur
 1 2
Formula; H2S
The valency of an atom will also tell you the charge of its
respective ion i.e.(sodium ion = +1 charge, chloride ion =
-1 charge,)
So once you know the valencies of the atoms, all you
need to do is swap the numbers around and cancel them
out if they are equal.
Similarly, when asked the formula of a compound given
its ionic charge, you could use similar method to get its
formula for example:
What is the formula for Magnesium chloride?
Mg2+ and Cl-
Swap the two numbers around:
Mg Cl
2 1
Formula is therefore: MgCl2
Constructing Word Equations and Simple Balanced
Equations
In constructing chemical equations, there are two
important keys to note: reactants and products. For
example:
The reaction between carbon and oxygen yields carbon
dioxide.
Carbon and oxygen are the reactants.
Carbon dioxide is the product. The reaction can be
shown using a diagram or a symbol equation.

POINTS TO NOTE
 Symbol equations must be balanced, the number of
each type of atom on the left hand side must be equal
to the number on the right hand side.
 When the number of each type of atom is the same on
both sides, the equation is said to be balanced, if its
not balanced then its not correct.
 Reactants and products may be solids, liquid, gas or
in solution, their states can be shown by adding state
symbols to the equations: (s) for solid (l) for liquid (g)
for gas (aq) for aqueous solution (solution in water).
Example of Word Equations:
Magnesium + Oxygen Magnesium oxide

Hydrogen + Oxygen Water

Sodium + Chlorine Sodium chloride

STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN WRITING AN

EQUATION
1. Write the equation in words
2. Write it using symbols, ensure all the formulae are
correct.
3. Check that the equation is balanced for each type of
atom present.
4. Add the state symbols.
Definition Of Some Terms
Relative Atomic Mass Ar: This is the average mass of
the isotopes of an element compared to one twelfth of the
mass of an atom of C-12
Relative Molecular Mass Mr: This is the sum of the
relative atomic masses. Relative formula mass, Mr will
be used for ionic compounds
Empirical Formula: Is the simplest whole number ratio of
the different atoms or ions in a compound.
Example: 32g of sulfur combine with 32g of oxygen to
form an oxide of sulfur. What is its empirical formula?
ELEMENTS SULFUR OXYGEN
Masses that 32g 32g
combine
Ar 32 16
Moles 32/32 = 1 32/16= 2
Ratio 1 : 2
Empirical SO2
formula