The Mole

Equations
 The Law of Conservation of Matter

states that matter can neither be created

nor destroyed during a chemical reaction.
 The Law of Conservation of Matter

For any chemical reaction, the total mass of the

products is the same as the total mass of the
reactants. When considered in terms of moles,
the coefficients in a balanced equation show the
number of moles of each reactant and product.
 4 Al (s) + 3O2 (g) 2 Al2O3 (s)
4 mol of Al (s) + 3 mol of O2 (g) 2 mol of Al2O3 (s)
Converting moles to mass
4(27)g of Al (s) + 3(2 x16)g of O2 (g) 2 ((2x27)+ (3 x16)) of Al2O3

108g of Al (s) + 96 of O2 (g) 204g of Al2O3 (s)

The total mass of the original reactants, aluminium and oxygen is 204 g
which is the same as the mass of product can be calculated
 The Law of Conservation of Matter

…it stands to reason therefore that is the

quantity of one reactant or product is known,
then the quantities of any of the other
reactants or products can be calculated.
Steps to Take
Questions on
the Mole &
Chemical Equations
Step 1
Write the balanced chemical equation for the
reaction. If it has ions, use a balanced ionic
equation

Write the quantity of reactant or product

Step 2 under each formula; use a question mark for
the reactant or product that’s needed

Step 3
Convert the given quantity to moles.
This is the known reactant
Step 4
Use the balanced chemical equation to
determine mole ratio between the known and
the unknown reactant or product

Use the number of moles of the known

Step 5 reactant or product from step 3 and the mole
ratio from step 4 to calculate the number of
moles of the unknown

Step 6
Use the number of moles of the unknown
reactant or product from step 5 and its molar
mass (or volume) to determine its quantity.
Worked
Examples
 Practice with Mass
Chemical Equations
Calculate the mass of magnesium oxide formed by
burning 12 g of Mg in excess oxygen (Ar: Mg= 24; O= 16)
Step 1 2Mg (s) + O2 (g) 2 MgO (s)
Write the balanced 12 g ?g
Chemical Equation

Step 2 Write the quantities of what

you’re given and what you want
 Step 3
Convert the given
quantity to moles. (Here, we will be finding the number of moles of Mg(s) )

1 st Principles: Mass of 1 mol of Mg (s) = 24

∴ mass of 1 mol of Mg = 12
Using the Formula: 24
moles = given mass
= 0.5 mol
molar mass
moles = 12 = 0.5 mols
24
Steps 4&5 1 mol
1 mol
Use the balanced 0.5 mol 0.5 mol
Chemical Equation
to find mole ratio
Then, use the use the
2 mol Mg forms 2 mol MgO
mole ratio to
determine the moles ∴ 1 mol Mg forms 1 mol MgO
of the unknown
So, 0.5 mol of 1 Mg forms 0.5 mol MgO
 Step 6
Use the moles 1 mol 1 mol
obtained from the 0.5 mol 0.5 mol
mole ratio to
determine the mass Mr(Mg) = 24 + (2 x 16)
(or any other = 40 gmol-1
quantity) required1 mol MgO has a mass of 40 g
∴ 0.5 mol MgO has a mass of = 0.5 x 40
1
= 20 g MgO
Practice with the Mole &
Chemical Equations
 Practice with the Mole & Chemical Equations
Try these:
1. Calculate the mass of calcium oxide formed by reacting 20 g of Ca in excess oxygen
(Ar: Ca= 40; O= 16)

2. What is the mass of carbon dioxide formed when 1.2 g of carbon is burnt in excess oxygen
(Ar: C= 12; O= 16)

3. How many grams of H2O are needed if 41.85g of O2 are to be produced from the reaction:
2K2O2 + 2H2O → 4KOH + O2