Problem Solving in Chemistry

➢ Effective problem solving always involves developing a

plan and then implementing that plan.
 Solving Numeric Problems

➢ What are the steps for solving numeric problems?

- The steps for solving a numeric word problem are:

1. ANALYSE

➢First determine where you are starting from (identify what is known)
and where you are going (identify what is unknown).

➢If you expect the answer (the unknown) to be a number, you need to
determine what unit(s) the answer should have.

➢Make a plan for using what is known to arrive at the unknown.

2. CALCULATE

➢For some problems, you will have to convert a measurement from

one unit to another (Dimensional analysis).

➢For other problems, you may need to rearrange an equation or use

expressions before you can solve for an unknown.
 Dimensional Analysis or Factor-Label Method

Dimensional analysis, also known as factor-label method is a

method used to convert one unit to a different unit. Dimensional
analysis is used to :

➢ to facilitate the conversion of units

➢ to identify whether an equation is set up correctly in a numerical
calculation
➢ to ensure that solutions to problems yield the proper units
 Dimensional Analysis or Factor-Label Method

The key to using dimensional analysis is the correct use of conversion

factors to change one unit into another.

103 cm3 1L
1L 103 cm3
1 L = 103 cm3

A conversion factor is a factor equal to 1, whose numerator and

denominator are the same quantity expressed in different units.

1L 103 cm3
3 3
= =1
10 cm 3
10 cm 3
 Dimensional Analysis or Factor-Label Method

When we multiply a quantity by a conversion factor, the units

multiply and divide as follows:

desired unit
given unit × = desired unit
given unit

Example: 125 cm3 = ? L

1L
V = 125 cm3 × 103 cm3 = 125 × 10-3 L = 0,125 L
 3. EVALUATE

➢ After you calculate an answer, you should evaluate it.

•Is the answer reasonable?

•Does it make sense?
•Did you copy the data correctly?
•Did you choose the right equations?
•Check that your answer has the correct unit(s) and the correct
number of significant figures.
 Dimensional Analysis

Problem 1. Earth’s oceans contain approximately 1,36×109 km3 of water.

Calculate the volume in liters.
 Dimensional Analysis

Problem 2. In the past, pharmacists measured the active ingredients in

many medications in a unit called grains (gr). A grain is equal to 64,8 mg. If
one headache tablet contains 5,0 gr of active acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), how
many grams of ASA are in two tablets?
 Stoichiometry and unit analysis
Problem 3. What mass of oxygen, O2, can be obtained by the
decomposition of 5,0 g of potassium chlorate, KClO3 ? The balanced
equation is given below.
2 KClO 3 → 2 KCl + 3O2
 Calculating density
Problem 4. A lead weight used in the belt of a scuba diver
has a mass of 226 g. When the weight is carefully placed
in a large graduated cylinder containing 200,0 cm3 of
water, the water level rises to 220,0 cm3. What is the
density (g/cm3) of the lead weight?
 Ideal Gas Law Problem
Problem 5. How many molecules are there in 985 mL of nitrogen at
0,0° C and 1,00 x 10-6 mm Hg?

R = 0,0821 L·atm /mol·K

NA = 6,02 x 1023 mol-1
1 atm = 760 mm Hg