Calculating Relative Formula Mass (Mr) Gold

Gold

The relative formula mass (M r) of a compound is the mass of all the elements in the compound added
together.

For example, water (H₂0)

Water is a compound made from the elements hydrogen and oxygen.

Oxygen has a mass of 16.

Hydrogen has a mass of 1. If you look carefully at the chemical formula for water, there are two
hydrogens.

So, the relative formula mass of water = (2 × 1) + 16 = 18

Have a go at calculating the relative formula mass for each of the compounds below. You will need a
periodic table to help you.

Calculate the Mr for each of the Use this space to show your Write your answer
compounds below. working out. in the box below.
1 Sr(OH)₂

2 SrCO₃

3 Na₂SeO₃

4 Na₂MnO₄

5 Cu(N₃)₂

6 NaHCO₃

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 Calculating Relative Formula Mass (M r ) Gold

7 Na₄Fe(CN)₆

8 Ag₂SO₄

9 Sc(NO₃)₃

10 K₂S

11 Fe(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₉

12 Fe(SCN)₃

13 Pb₃(PO₄)₂

14 MnSO₄H₂O

15 H₂SO₄

16 NH₄Cl

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 Calculating Relative Formula Mass (M r ) Gold

17 K₂SO₄

18 KMnO₄

19 KOH

20 Zn(CN)₂

Extension Question - Brain Teaser

Using the mass numbers, calculate the mass number for the unknown element. What element have you
found?

1. Ar × Kr = ?
Ga

2. C × Ar + Co = ?
Mg

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Calculating Relative Formula Mass (Mr) Gold
Answers
Calculate the Mr for each of the Use this space to show your Write your answer
compounds below. working out. in the box below.
1 Sr(OH)₂ (16 + 1) × 2 = 34 122
88 + 34 = 122
2 SrCO₃ 88 + 12 + (16 × 3) = 148 148
3 Na₂SeO₃ (23 × 2) + 79 + (16 × 3) = 173 173
4 Na₂MnO₄ (23 × 2) + 55 + (16 × 4) = 165 165
5 Cu(N₃)₂ 14 × 3 = 42 147.5
42 × 2 = 84
63.5 + 84 = 147.5
6 NaHCO₃ 23 + 1 + 12 + (16 × 3) = 84 84
7 Na₄Fe(CN)₆ 12 + 14 = 26 304
26 × 6 = 156
(23 × 4) + 56 + 156 = 304
8 Ag₂SO₄ (108 × 2) + 32 + (16 × 4) = 312 312
9 Sc(NO₃)₃ (16 × 3) + 14 = 62 231
62 × 3 = 186
45 + 186 = 231
10 K₂S (39 × 2) + 32 = 110 110
11 Fe(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₉ (16 × 3) + 14 = 62 404
62 × 3 = 186
(1 × 2) + 16 = 18
18 × 9 = 162
56 + 186 + 162 = 404
12 Fe(SCN)₃ 32 + 12 + 14 = 58 230
58 × 3 = 174
56 + 174 = 230
13 Pb₃(PO₄)₂ (16 × 4) + 31 = 95 811
95 × 2 = 190
(207 × 3) + 190 = 811

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 Calculating Relative Formula Mass (Mr ) Gold Answers

14 MnSO₄H₂O 55 + 32 + (16 × 4) + (1 × 2) + 16 169

= 169
15 H₂SO₄ (1 × 2) + 32 + (16 × 4) = 98 98

16 NH₄Cl 14 + (1 × 4) + 35.5 = 53.5 53.5

17 K₂SO₄ (39 × 2) + 32 + (16 × 4) = 174 174

18 KMnO₄ 39 + 55 + (16 × 4) = 158 158

19 KOH 39 + 16 + 1 = 56 56

20 Zn(CN)₂ 12 + 14 = 26 117
26 × 2 = 52
65 + 52 = 117

Extension Question - Brain Teaser

Using the mass numbers, calculate the mass number for the unknown element. What element have you
found?

1. Ar × Kr = ?
Ga

40 × 84 = 48
70
The unknown element is Ti.

C × Ar + Co = ?
Mg

12 × 40 + 59 = 79
24
The unknown element is Se.

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