Relative Formula Mass Questions

Bicarbonate of soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate is a
compound with the formula NaHCO3.
1. Use the periodic table to find out each element’s relative atomic mass.

The relative formula mass is the sum of the relative atomic masses of all the atoms in a compound.
The numbers within the formula tell you how many times you need to count the mass of each
element.
2. Calculate the relative formula mass of a molecule of sodium bicarbonate.

relative formula mass =

Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid. Acetic acid is a compound with the formula CH3COOH.
3. Calculate the relative formula mass of a molecule of acetic acid.

relative formula mass =

The equation for the reaction between sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid is:

reactants products

NaHCO3 + CH3COOH CH3COONa + CO2 + H2O

sodium carbon
+ acetic acid sodium acetate + + water
bicarbonate dioxide

In a balanced chemical equation, the sum of the relative formula masses of the reactants
equals the sum of the relative formula masses of the products.

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 Relative Formula Mass Questions

4. Calculate the sum of the relative formula masses of the two reactants.




sum of relative formula masses =

What do you think the sum of the relative formula masses of the three products should be?
(Hint: What do you know about the conservation of mass?)

sum of relative formula masses =

Check your answer:

5. Calculate the relative formula mass of a molecule of carbon dioxide.

relative formula mass =

6. Calculate the relative formula mass of a molecule of water.

relative formula mass =

7. Calculate the relative formula mass of a molecule of sodium acetate (CH3COONa).

relative formula mass =

8. Calculate the sum of the relative formula masses of the three products.

sum of relative formula masses =

Were you correct?

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