Finding the Number of Particles

No. of moles of substance = No. of particles of substance

6 × 1023

In case of molecule, No. of particles becomes equal to the number of molecules

In case of an elemental atom, it becomes equal to the number of atoms
And in case of ionic compounds it becomes equal to the number of formula units.

Chemical Calculations From Equations

Three Basic Methods to do chemical calculations:

Method 1 - Using mole ratio (when masses in g, volume of gas, concentration are given)
Method 2 - Using mass ratio (where masses are not given in grams, but, in kg or tonnes)
Method 3 - Using volume ratio (if only volumes of gases are involved)
Method 4 – Using mass to volume ratio

Method 1 – Using Mole Ratio

Steps involved in working out the required calculation:

1. Write the balanced equation if not given in question.
2. Get mole ratio from equation
3. Convert information given (whether in mass, volume or concentration of
substance) in the question into moles
4. Use the mole ratio and work out by proportion the no. of moles of unknown
5. Convert no of moles to mass or volume or calculate concentration of
solution as required by question

Eg 1. What mass of magnesium oxide can be obtained from the combustion of 2.4 g of
magnesium?

Chemical Equation: 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO (write it if not given)

No. of moles in 2.4g Mg = mass = 2.4 = 0.1 ( Ar used, Mg made up of atoms)

Ar 24

From equation, 2 mol Mg produces 2 mol MgO (Question requires calculation of these)
mole ratio is 2 mol Mg : 2 mol MgO

Hence, 0.1 mol Mg produces 0.1 x 2 (Using proportion from mole ratio)*
2
= 0.1mol MgO
Mr of MgO = 24 + 16 = 40 ( Always show calculation of Mr value)