General Chemistry 1

Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Empirical and Molecular Formula with
Balancing Chemical Equations
General Chemistry 1
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Empirical and Molecular Formula with Balancing Chemical
Equations
First Edition, 2020

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 General Chemistry 1
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Empirical and Molecular Formula with
Balancing Chemical Equations
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Chemistry I SHS Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Empirical and Molecular Formula with Balancing Chemical Equations!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both
from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping
the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their
personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their
needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of the
module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You
also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their
own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

ii
For the learner:

Welcome to the Chemistry I SHS Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Empirical
and Molecular Formula with Balancing Chemical Equations!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner is
capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills at
your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the

iii
 lesson learned. This also tends retention of
learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate
to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the nature of mixtures. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different
learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But
the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you
are now using.

The module is divided into two lessons, namely:

• Lesson 1 – Percentage Composition

• Lesson 2 – Empirical and Molecular Formula with Balancing Chemical
Equations

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. calculate the percent composition of a substance from its chemical formula;
2. determine the empirical formula of a compound and the molecular formula from
the empirical formula;
3. write and balance chemical equations.

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. What are the percent composition for SF2?
A. 55 % Sulfur and 45% Fluorine
B. 45.76% Sulfur and 54.39 % Fluorine
C. 33% Sulfur and 67% Fluorine
D. 49.2 % Sulfur and 50.8 % Fluorine

2. The formula weight of the compound, Al 2(SO4)3.18H2O is:

A. 394.4 g
B. 666.4 g
C. 110,900 g
D. 466.8 g

3. The weight of a millimole of (NH4)2HPO4 is:

A. 132 g
B. 114 g
C. 1.14 x 10-3 g
D. 0.132 g

4. How many moles of alanine, C3H7NO2, are there in 159 g of alanine?

A. 1.42 x 104
B. 1.78
C. 0.992
D. 0.560

1
5. How many atoms are in one mole of CH3OH?
A. 6
B. 6.0 x 1023
C. 12.0 x 1023
D. 3.6 x 1024

6. What do you call a formula with the lowest whole number ratio of elements in a
compound?
A. chemical formula
B. covalent formula
C. empirical formula
D. molecular formula

7. What do you call a chemical formula that shows the actual number and kinds of
atoms present in one molecule of a compound?
A. covalent formula
B. empirical formula
C. ionic formula
D. molecular formula

8. Which of the following is an empirical formula?

A. P4O10
B. N2O
C. C2H4
D. H2O2

9. Which of the following is not an empirical formula?

A. N2O4
B. C3H8
C. Na2SO4
D. Al3(SO4) 2

10. Which of the following is the correct empirical formula of C4H10?

A. CH2.5
B. C4H10
C. C2H5
D. C8H10

11. What chemicals are created in a chemical reaction?

A. reactants
B. product
C. either
D. both

12. H2 + O2 – H2O, What are the coefficients used to balance?

A. 2, 2, 2
B. 0, 2, 2
C. 1, 2, 2
D. 2, 1, 2

13. Fe + Cl2 – FeCl3, what coefficients would balance the equation?

A. 4, 3, 2
B. 2, 3, 3
C. 2, 3, 2
D. 2, 2, 2

14. How many oxygens are in 2(NO3)?

A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8

2
15. What slows or does not allow a chemical reaction to occur?
A. Endothermic
B. Exothermic
C. Catalyst
D. Inhibitor

Lesson

1 Percentage Composition

As you completed 2 modules already, you are about to face now a more
complicated topics that include mathematical concepts. So, it’s your time to showcase
your ability to analyze problem solving. Just continue reading the concepts specifically
the steps on how you are going to deal with these problems.

What’s In

Before we study percentage composition of a compound, let us recall first the definition
of it as well its characteristics and properties.

A chemical compound is a chemical substance composed of many identical molecules

or molecular entities composed of atoms from more than one element held together by
chemical bonds. Two atoms of the same element bonded in a molecule do not form a
chemical compound, since this would require two different elements.

A chemical formula specifies the number of atoms of each element in a compound

molecule, using the standard abbreviations for the chemical elements and numerical
subscripts. For example, a water molecule has formula H2O indicating two hydrogen
atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.

There are four types of compounds, depending on how the constituent atoms are held
together:

• molecules held together by covalent bonds

• ionic compounds held together by ionic bonds

• intermetallic compounds held together by metallic bonds

• certain complexes held together by coordinate covalent bonds.

3
 What’s New

Activity 1.0. THE NEW NORMAL

Direction: Study well the pictures below. Answer the guide questions.

1. What does the two pictures have in common? ________________________________

2. What’s the difference between the two? ______________________________________

3. What does it mean when we say 70% alcohol solution? _________________________

4. What does it mean when we say 40% alcohol solution? _________________________

5. Where we can use a 40% alcohol solution? _____________________________________

6. Where we can use a 70% alcohol solution? _____________________________________

7. Which do you think is more advantageous to use, a 40% alcohol solution or a 70%
alcohol solution in this time of pandemic?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

What is It

We will start our discussion in percentage composition by looking at this key points that
will guide us in understanding the concepts.

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 o The atomic composition of chemical compounds can be described in a
variety of ways, including molecular formulas and percent composition.
o The percent composition of a compound is calculated with the molecular
formula: divide the mass of each element found in one mole of the
compound by the total molar mass of the compound.
o The percent composition of a compound can be measured experimentally,
and these values can be used to determine the empirical formula of a
compound.

It is sometimes useful or important to know the relative amounts of the components of

a mixture or a compound. The percentage composition of compounds may be computed
from its chemical formula or from experimental data.

What is Percentage Composition?

The percentage composition of any given compound is nothing but the ratio of the
amount of each element present in the compound to the total amount of individual
elements present in the compound multiplied by 100. Here, we measure the quantity in
terms of grams of the elements present in the solution.

The percent composition of any compound is an expression of its composition in terms

of all the elements present. The significance of this composition calculation is found in
the chemical analysis.

The percentage composition of a compound is the percentage by mass contributed by

each element in the substance. It is calculated by dividing the mass of each element by
the total mass and then multiplying it by 100.

In equation,
𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
% by mass = x 100
𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔

It is much better if we will discuss first formula mass.

FORMULA MASS

The formula mass of a molecule (also known as formula weight) is the sum of the atomic
weights of the atoms in the empirical formula of the compound. Formula weight is given
in atomic mass units (amu).

Relative Formula Mass

• A related term you should know is relative formula mass (relative formula weight).
This simply means the calculation is performed using relative atomic weight
values for the elements, which are based on the natural isotopic ratio of elements
found in Earth's atmosphere and crust. Because relative atomic weight is a
unitless value, relative formula mass technically does not have any units.
However, grams are often used. When the relative formula mass is given in grams,
then it is for 1 mole of a substance. The symbol for relative formula mass is Mr,
and it is calculated by adding together the Ar values of all the atoms in the
formula of a compound.
Example:
1. Find the relative formula mass of carbon monoxide, CO.
Solution: The relative atomic mass of carbon is 12 and of oxygen is 16, so the relative
formula mass is:
C 12 x 1 = 12
O 16 x 1 = 16
28

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One mole of carbon monoxide has a relative formula mass of 28 grams.

2. Find the relative formula mass of sodium oxide, Na2O.

Solution: Multiply the relative atomic mass of sodium times its subscript and add the
value to the relative atomic mass of oxygen:
Na2 O
1 x 16 = 16
2 x 23 = 46
62
One mole of sodium oxide has a relative formula mass of 62 grams.

Avogadro’s Number:
➢ Amadeo Avogadro first proposed that the volume of a gas at a given pressure
and temperature is proportional to the number of atoms or molecules, regardless
of the type of gas.

➢ Just like a dozen is 12 things, a mole is simply Avogadro's number of things. In

chemistry, those "things" are atoms or molecules.

➢ Amedeo Avogadro is credited with the idea that the number of entities (usually
atoms or molecules) in a substance is proportional to its physical mass.

➢ Avogadro’s number is a proportion that relates molar mass on an atomic scale to

physical mass on a human scale. Avogadro’s number is defined as the number
of elementary particles (molecules, atoms, compounds, etc.) per mole of a
substance. It is equal to 6.022×1023 per mol and is expressed as the symbol NA.

➢ Avogadro’s number is a similar concept to that of a dozen or a gross. A dozen

molecules is 12 molecules. A gross of molecules is 144 molecules. Avogadro’s
number is 6.022×1023 molecules. With Avogadro’s number, scientists can
discuss and compare very large numbers, which is useful because substances in
everyday quantities contain very large numbers of atoms and molecules.

Activity 1.1.
Suppose we invented a new collection unit called a mep. One mep contains 8 objects.
1. How many paper clips in 1 mep?
A. 1 B. 4 C. 8
2. How many oranges in 2.0 meps?
A. 4 B. 8 C. 16
3. How many meps contain 40 gummy bears?
A. 5 B. 10 C. 20
4. How many meps are there in 800 steps?
A. 100 B. 80 C. 8
5. How many chocolates in 4.5 meps?
A. 3.6 B. 36 C. 0.36

Activity 1.2.
Knowing that Avogadro’s number (NA) is equal to 6.022×1023 per mol, answer the
following questions.

1. How many number of atoms are there in 0.500 mol of Al?

Show your solution here:

6
2. Compute the number of moles of S in a sample where S contains 1.8 x 1024 S atoms.
Show your solution here:

MOLAR MASS
➢ Number of grams in 1 mole of an element
➢ Equal to the numerical value of the atomic mass
Examples: 1 mole of C atoms = 12.0 g
1 mole of Mg atoms = 24.3 g
1 mole of Cu atoms = 63.5 g
Activity 1.3
Give the molar mass of the following.
A. 1 mole of Br = _______________________

B. 1 mole of In = _______________________

C. molar mass of C in 1 mole of KHC4H4O6 = _______________________

D. molar mass of O in 1 mole of MgSO4 = _______________________

E. molar mass of H in 1 mole of C 2H5OH = _______________________

MOLAR MASS of a COMPOUND

➢ mass in grams of 1 mole equal numerically to the sum of the atomic masses

➢ same as in computing the formula mass of a compound.

Example:
A. 1 mole of CaCl2 = 111.1 g/mole
Solution: 1 mole Ca x 40.1 g/mole + 2 moles Cl x 35.5 g/mole

B. 1 mole of N2O4 = 74.0 g/mole

Solution: 2 moles N x 14.0 g/mole + 4 moles O x 16.0 g/mole

Activity 1.4
Compute the molar mass of the given compounds below:
A. 1 mole of K2O = __________________
Show your soluiton here:

B. 1 mole of antacid Al(OH) 3

Show your solution here:

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C. Prozac, C17H18F3NO, is a widely used antidepressant that inhibits the uptake of
serotonin by the brain. It has a molar mass of _________________.
Show your solution here:

Since we discussed already the concepts of formula mass and molar mass, we may go
back now in the discussion of percentage composition.
In equation,
𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
% by mass = x 100
𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔
Examples:
1. What is the percent carbon in C5H8NO4 (MSG monosodium glutamate), a compound
used to flavor foods and tenderize meats?
Solution:
Molar (Formula) mass = C (5 x 12.01) = 60.05
H (8 x 1.01) = 8.08
N (1 x 14.01) = 14.01
O (4 x 16.00) = 64.00
-------
146.14 g/mole
𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
%= x 100
𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐶
%= x 100
𝐹𝑀 𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑀 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑

60.05 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
= x 100
146.14 𝑔.𝑚𝑜𝑙

Final Answer = 41.09%

2. Methane CH4 known as natural gas is used in gas cook tops and gas heaters.
Express the molar mass of methane in the form of conversion factors.
Solution:
Molar mass of CH4 = 16.0 g/mole
Final Answer:
𝟏𝟔.𝟎 𝒈 𝑪𝑯𝟒 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝐶𝐻4
𝟏 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝑪𝑯𝟒
and 𝟏𝟔.𝟎 𝒈 𝑪𝑯𝟒

What’s More
Activity 1.5
Direction: Compute for the formula / molar mass of the following. Show you complete
solution.
1. NaOH 6. H2O

8
2. Mg(OH)2 7. CuSO4 • 5 H2O

3. Fe2O3 8. Al2(SO4)3

4. KNO3 9. NH3

5. H2SO4 10. Na2Br4O7 • 10 H2O

What I Have Learned

• The formula mass of a substance is merely the sum of the atomic masses of each
atom in its chemical formula. It is calculated by simply adding up all of the atomic
masses for the atoms that make up the compound.

• If the chemical formula of a substance is its molecular formula, then the formula
mass is also the molecular formula.

• The percentage composition of a compound is the percentage by mass

contributed by each element in the substance. It is calculated by dividing the
mass of each element by the total mass (formula or molar) and then multiplying
it by 100.

𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

% by mass =
𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔

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 What I Can Do

Direction: Solve the following problems completely. Show your solution.

A. Compute for the percentage composition og each element in the given
compound.
1. H2O

2. NH3

3. KNO3

4. H2SO4

B. Compute for the percent by mass of oxygen in the following compounds.

1. NaOH

2. Mg(OH)2

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3. Fe2O3

4. Al2(SO4)3

Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. The number 6.02 x 1023 is called ____________.

A. Obama's number
B. Bohr's number
C. Trump's number
D. Avogadro's number
2. How many atoms of copper (Cu) are there in a pure copper penny that weighs
5.00 grams?
A. 4.72 x 1022
B. 472 x 1022
C. 4.72 x 102
D. 4.72 x 10-22
3. How many moles of alanine, C3H7NO2, are there in 159 g of alanine?
A. 1.42 x 104
B. 1.78
C. 0.992
D. 0.560
4. Which of the following statements is(are) FALSE?
1. The percent by mass of each element in a compound depends on the amount
of the compound.
2. The mass of each element in a compound depends on the amount of the
compound.
3. The percent by mass of each element in a compound depends on the amount
of element present in the compound.
A. 2 and 3
B. 1 only
C. 1 and 2
D. 1, 2 and 3

5. How many atoms are in one mole of CH3OH?

A. 6
B. 6.0 x 1023
C. 12.0 x 1023
D. 3.6 x 1024

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6. What is the molar mass of glucose C 6H12O6?
A. 420 g/mol
B. 212 g/mol
C. 180 g/mol
D. 100 g/mol
7. What is the molar mass of Na2CO3?
A. 104 g/mol
B. 180 g/mol
C. 106 g/mol
D. 120 g/mol
8. What is the percentage of oxygen in carbon dioxide? (CO 2)
A. 27.3%
B. 72.7%
C. 30%
D. 70%
9. What is the percentage of chlorine in sodium chloride? (NaCl)
A. 60.7%
B. 39.3%
C. 60%
D. 40%
10. Caffeine's molecular formula is C8H10N4O2. The molar mass of caffeine is 194g/mol.
What is the percentage of carbon in caffeine?
A. 8.2%
B. 16.5%
C. 28.9%
D. 49.5%
11. What is the percentage of nitrogen in caffeine?
A. 28.9%
B. 16.5%
C. 49.5%
D. 32.7%
12. What is the percentage of oxygen in caffeine?
A. 49.5%
B. 28.9%
C. 16.5%
D. 32.7%
13. What is the molar mass of sulfuric acid? (H2SO4)
A. 120g
B. 98g
C. 75g
D. 50g
14. What is the percentage of sulfur in sulfuric acid?
A. 67.3%
B. 33.7%
C. 32.7%
D. 40.8%
15. What is the percent composition for each element in sodium sulfate? (Na2SO4)
A. 23% Na, 45% S, 32% O
B. 32% Na, 23% S, 45% O
C. 23% Na, 32% S, 16% O
D. 32% Na, 45% S, 23% O

12
 Additional Activities
Direction: Complete the concept map below by filling up the boxes with appropriate
Concepts using the linking words/phrases written below.
element ionic formula mass
molecular anion molar mass
atomic mass cation chemical formula
percentage composition

1 may be computed from 2 Can also 3

be the

Computed from

Mass of an atom of 5

Mass % of
each Represented
by
4 compose 6
compounds

may be

7 8

9 10

Maderal C, Domingo C, Anir R. CHEMISTRY SKILL BUILDERS AND EXERCISES,Great Minds Book Sales Inc.(2005)

13
 Lesson Empirical and Molecular mass with

2 Balancing Chemical Equations

What’s In

A chemical formula is an expression that states the number and type of atoms present
in a molecule of a substance. The type of atom is given using element symbols. The
number of atoms is indicated by a subscript following the element symbol.

In chemistry, we have the different types of chemical formula used in analyzing the
properties of a chemical compound, namely

• Molecular formula
• Empirical formula
• Structural formula
• Condensed formula
For this lesson, we will concentrate in the discussion of empirical formula, where you
will be guided on how to write it and how to balance chemical equations.

What’s New

Activity 2.0
Direction: Study the sample table below.

Compound Molecular Empirical

Formula Formula
ethane C2H6 CH3
propene C3H6 CH2
acetylene C2H2 CH
benzene C6H6 CH
Guide Questions:
1. Lool carefully at the molecular formula and empirical formula of each compound?
What have you observed?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. Based on your observation, give your own definition of

a. Molecular Formula -
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

14
b. Empirical Formula -
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What is It

Empirical Formula
➢ A formula that gives the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.
Steps for Determining an Empirical Formula:
1. Start with the number of grams of each element, given in the problem.
2. If percentages are given, assume that the total mass is 100 grams so that
the mass of each element = the percent given.
3. Convert the mass of each element to moles using the molar mass from the
periodic table.
4. Divide each mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated.
5. Round to the nearest whole number. This is the mole ratio of the elements and
is represented by subscripts in the empirical formula.
6. If the number is too far to round (x.1 ~ x.9), then multiply each solution by the
same factor to get the lowest whole number multiple.
• e.g. If one solution is 1.5, then multiply each solution in the problem by 2 to get
3.
• e.g. If one solution is 1.25, then multiply each solution in the problem by 4 to
get 5.

Sample Problem # 1. A compound was analyzed and found to contain 13.5 g Ca, 10.8
g O, and 0.675 g H. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Solution:

1. Start with the number of grams of each element, given in the problem.
Given: 13.5 g Ca, 10.8 g O, 0.675 g H
2. Convert the mass of each element to moles using the molar mass from the periodic
table.
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑎
13.5 g Ca x = 0.337 mol Ca
40.1 𝑔 𝐶𝑎

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂
10.8 g O x = 0.675 mol O
16.0 𝑔 𝑂

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻
0.675 g H x = 0.668 mol H
1.01 𝑔 𝐻

3. Divide each mole value by smallest number of moles calculated. Round off to the
nearest whole value.
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑎 0.337
13.5 g Ca x = mol Ca = 1.00
40.1 𝑔 𝐶𝑎 0.337

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂 0.675
10.8 g O x = mol O = 2.00
16.0 𝑔 𝑂 0.337

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻 0.668
0.675 g H x = mol H = 1.98 ≈ 2.00
1.01 𝑔 𝐻 0.337
4. This is the mole ratio of the elements and is represented by subscripts in the empirical
formula.

Final Answer : CaO2H2 Ca(OH)2

15
Sample Problem # 2: NutraSweet is 57.14% C, 6.16% H, 9.52% N, and 27.18% O.
Calculate the empirical formula of NutraSweet and find the molecular formula. (The
molar mass of NutraSweet is 294.30 g/mol)

1. Start with the number of grams of each element, given in the problem.
➢ If percentages are given, assume that the total mass is 100 grams so that the
mass of each element = the percent given.
Given: 57.14 g C, 6.16 g H, 9.52 g N, 27.18 g O
2. Convert the mass of each element to moles using the molar mass from the periodic
table.
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶
57.14 g C x = 4.76 mol C
12.0 𝑔 𝐶
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻
6.16 g H x = 6.10 mol H
1.01 𝑔 𝐻
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁
9.52 g N x = 0.68 mol N
14.0 𝑔 𝑁
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂
27.18 g O x = 1.70 mol O
16.0 𝑔 𝑂
3. Divide each mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated. Round to the
nearest whole number.
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶 4.76
57.14 g C x = mol C = 7.00
12.0 𝑔 𝐶 0.68
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻 6.10
6.16 g H x = mol H = 8.97 ≈ 9.00
1.01 𝑔 𝐻 0.68
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁 0.68
9.52 g N x = mol N = 1.00
14.0 𝑔 𝑁 0.68
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂 1.70
27.18 g O x = mol O = 2.50
16.0 𝑔 𝑂 0.68
• This is the mole ratio of the elements and is represented by subscripts in the
empirical formula.
4. Since we have 2.50 mol O, we have to make it a whole number, so we will multiply
each solution by 2 to make 2.50 mol O a whole number ratio.
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶
57.14 g C x = 4.76/0.68 mol C = 7.00 x 2 = 14
12.0 𝑔 𝐶
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻
6.16 g H x = 6.10/0.68 mol H = 8.97 ≈ 9.00 x 2 = 18
1.01 𝑔 𝐻
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁
9.52 g N x = 0.68/0.68 mol N = 1.00 x2 = 2
14.0 𝑔 𝑁
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂
27.18 g O x = 1.70/0.68 mol O = 2.50 x2 = 5
16.0 𝑔 𝑂

5. This is the mole ratio of the elements and is represented by subscripts in the empirical
formula.
Final Answer: C14H18N205

MOLECULAR FORMULA
➢ Gives the actual number of each kind of atoms present in a molecule of
the compound.
Steps in determining the molecular formula:
1. Once the empirical formula is found, the molecular formula for a compound can be
determined if the molar mass of the compound is known.
2. Simply calculate the mass of the empirical formula and divide the molar mass of the
compound by the mass of the empirical formula to find the ratio between the molecular
formula and the empirical formula.
3. Multiply all the atoms (subscripts) by this ratio to find the molecular formula.

𝑴𝑴 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂
n= 𝑴𝑴 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂
where:
MM – molar mass
n – is the number of times the empirical formula is found
in the molecular formula

16
Sample Problem # 1: Let’s determine the molecular formula of the compound in sample
problem # 2 above.

C14H18N2O5 = 14(12.0 g) + 18(1.01 g) + 2(14.0 g) + 5(16.0 g) = 294 g/mol

𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝟐𝟗𝟒.𝟑𝟎 𝒈/𝒎𝒐𝒍
= = 1 (let’s multiply this to the subscripts of our empirical formula
𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝟐𝟗𝟒 𝒈/𝒎𝒐𝒍

So, the molecular formula of the given compound is C14H18N2O5

Note: Not all the time the empirical formula is also the molecular formula, for
this example since n=1 that is why our empirical formula is also our molecular
formula.
Balancing Chemical Equations
➢ A chemical equation shows the chemical formulas of substances that are reacting
and the substances that are produced. The number of atoms of the reactants and
products need to be balanced.
➢ Imagine a balance scale, in order for the two sides to be balanced, we need to put
a little more mass on the left side until they are the same mass.

https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/1f9ab792-61d8-4018-a3f6-07a63ea79e5c
➢ Just like we want the scale to be balanced on both sides, a chemical equation
should also be balanced on both sides. A chemical equation shows us the
substances involved in a chemical reaction - the substances that react (reactants)
and the substances that are produced (products). In general, a chemical equation
looks like this:
Reactants Products
➢ According to the law of conservation of mass, when a chemical reaction
occurs, the mass of the products should be equal to the mass of the
reactants. Therefore, the amount of the atoms in each element does not change
in the chemical reaction. As a result, the chemical equation that shows the
chemical reaction needs to be balanced. A balanced chemical equation occurs
when the number of the atoms involved in the reactants side is equal to the
number of atoms in the products side.

Let's take a look at an equation representing a chemical reaction:

N2 + H2 NH3
reactants product

In this chemical reaction, nitrogen (N 2) reacts with hydrogen (H) to produce

ammonia (NH3).The reactants are nitrogen and hydrogen, and the product is
ammonia. If we look at this equation, we can see that the equation is not
balanced.
N2 + H2 NH3
N=2 H=2 N=1
H=3

17
 The equation is not balanced because in the reactants side, there are 2
nitrogen (N) atoms and 2 hydrogen (H) atoms. In the products side, there are
1 nitrogen (N) atoms and 3 hydrogen (H) atoms. The number of the atoms is
not balanced on both sides.

To balance the chemical equation above, we need to make use of coefficients. A

coefficient is a number that we place in front of a chemical formula. In the
chemical equation, to make the number of nitrogen (N) atoms equal on both sides,
first, we place a coefficient of 2 in front of NH 3.
N2 + H2 2NH3
N=2 H=2 N=2
H=6
Once we do that, the number of nitrogen (N) atoms on both sides is balanced.
However, the number of hydrogen (H) atoms is not balanced on both sides. We
need to make use of another coefficient in front of H 2. This time, we put a
coefficient of 3 in front of H2 to balance the chemical equation.
N2 + 3H2 2NH3
N=2 H=6 N=2
H=6
The equation above is now balanced. There are 2 nitrogen (N) atoms and 6
hydrogen (H) atoms on both the reactants and products side. Since there is no
coefficient in front of N2, that means the coefficient is equal to 1.

What’s More

A. Balanced the following chemical equations:

a. NaBr + F2 NaF + Br2

b. K + H2O KOH + H2

c. H2O2 H2O + O2

d. CuSO4 + KCN Cu(CN)2 + K2SO4

e. P4 + O2 P4O6

f. CH4 + O2 CO2 + H2O

g. N2 + F2 NF3

h. AlBr3 + K2SO4 KBr + Al2(SO4)3

18
 What I Have Learned

• The empirical formula is obtained by converting mass % composition to the

number of gram-atoms of each element in a fixed mass of the compound.

• The subscripts in the molecular formula of a substance are always a whole

number multiple of the corresponding subscripts in its empirical formula. The
multiple is found by comparing the formula mass of the empirical formula with
the molecular formula.

• Practice always makes perfect. In general, to balance an equation, here are the
things we need to do:

✓ Count the atoms of each element in the reactants and the products.
✓ Use coefficients; place them in front of the compounds as needed.
✓ The steps are simple, but it is a process of trial and error.

What I Can Do

Direction:
A. Encircle the number of your answer. Which of the following molecular formulas
are also empirical formula?
1. ribose, C5H10O5, sugar molecule in RNA
2. ethyl butanaoate, C8H12O2, a compound with the odor of pineapple
3. chlorophyll, C55H72MgN4O5, part of photosynthesis
4. DEET, C12H17ON, an insect repellant
5. oxalix acid, H2C2O4, found in spinach and tea

B. Classify the following as an empirical formula or a molecular formula.

1. S2Cl2 ____________________________________
2. C6H12O4 ____________________________________
3. Na2SO3 ____________________________________
4. C17H19NO3 ____________________________________
5. (NH4)2CO3 ____________________________________

C. Write the empirical formula of the following compounds.

1. N2O4 ____________________________________
2. CO2 ____________________________________

3. H2O2 ____________________________________

4. C2H4 ____________________________________
5. C6H12O6 ____________________________________

6. N2O ____________________________________

7. H2O ____________________________________
8. C6H6 ____________________________________

9. Si2H6 _________________________________________________________

10. C12H22O4 ____________________________________

Maderal C, Domingo C, Anir R. CHEMISTRY SKILL BUILDERS AND EXERCISES,Great Minds Book Sales Inc.(2005)

19
 Assessment

Direction:
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. What is the molecular formula for a compound with the empirical formula:
K2SO4 and a molecular mass of 696g?
A. K2SO4
B. K8SO16
C. K8S4O8
D. K8S4O16
2. Whats the empirical formula of a molecule containing 18.7% of Lithium, 16.3%
of Carbon and 65.0% of oxygen?
A. CO2Li3
B. Li2CO3
C. Li3CO2
D. LiCO5
3. What is the empirical formula for the following molecular formula: C 6H14
A. C6H14
B. C3H7
C. CH2
D. CH3
4. What is the molecular formula if the empirical formula is CH 2O and the molecular
molar mass is 180.18?
A. CH2O
B. C2H4O2
C. C4H8O4
D. C6H12O6
5. What is the molecular formula of a compound with an empirical formula of C2OH4
and a molar mass of 88 grams per mole?
A. C2O4H8
B. C8O2H4
C. C4O2H8
D. C4O8H2
6. How many moles are in 88 g of propane, C3H8.
A. 2.0
B. 16.0
C. 0.051
D. 3,872
7. What is the empirical formula for the following molecular formula: C5H12
A. C5H12
B. CH3
C. CH2
D. C2.5H6
8. What is the molecular formula if the empirical formula is C 2H5 and the molecular
molar mass is 58.14 g/mol?
A. C2H5
B. C4H10
C. C1H2.5
D. C4H8
9. What is the molecular formula for a compound with the empirical formula: CaCl 2 and
a molecular mass of 330g.
A. Ca2Cl4
B. Ca3Cl6
C. Ca3Cl9
D. Ca3Cl5

20
10. How many grams are in 2.25 moles of propane, C3H8?
A. 99 g
B. 16.0 g
C. 0.051 g
D. 96.0 g
11. Is the following equation balanced or unbalanced?
Fe + S --> FeS
A. balanced
B. not balanced
12. True or False: When balancing chemical equation the subscripts can be
change.
A. True
B. False
13. Which of the Following Correctly Balances this Equation?
_H2+_Cl2 --> _HCl
A. 2H2 + Cl2 --> 4HCl
B. H2+Cl2 --> 2HCl
C. 3H2 + 3Cl2 --> HCl
D. H + Cl --> HCl
14. When balancing equations a ____ can be placed to the left of a formula of a
substance to make the equations balanced
A. charge
B. subscript
c. random number
d. coefficient
15. When balancing equations what does -->mean?
A. subscript
B. forward
C. it is just an arrow
D. yield

Additional Activities

Direction.
A. Determine the empirical formula of each compound from its % composition.

1. 75.1% carbon, 24.9% hydrogen

Element Mass Atomic Gram-atom Simplest Empirical
Mass Ratio Formula

2. 30.4% nitrogen, 69.6% oxygen

Element Mass Atomic Gram- Simplest Empirical
Mass atom Ratio Formula
B. Determine the empirical formula of the compounds formed from the following
analyses.
1. 111.3 g of sodium combined completely with 38.7 g of oxygen

21
2. 11.66 g of iron reacted completely with 5.01 g of oxygen.

C. Determine the molecular formula of each compound given the empirical and
the molecular mass.

Empirical Molecular
Formula Mass Formula Mass n Molecular Mass
(amu)
CH 78

NO2 92

D. Determine the empirical and molecular formula of each compound given the %
composition and the molecular mass.

Compound, %
Empirical Formula Molecular Formula
composition
Nicotine
74.14% C
8.6% H
17.3% N
MM = 160 amu

22
Caffeine
49.5% C
5.2% H
28.8% N
16.5% O
MM = 194 amu

23
 24
Additional
Activities
Assessment
1. Percentage
1. D Composition
2. A 2. formula mass
3. B 3. molar mass
4. B 4. element
5. D 5. atomic mass
6. B 6. chemical formula
7. C 7. ionic
8. B 8. molecular
9. A 9. anion
10. 658 g/mol
10. D 10. cation
9. 17 g/mol
11. A 8. 342 g/mol
12. C 7. 250 g/mol
13. B 6. 18 g/mol
14. C 5. 98 g/mol
15. B 4. 101 g/mol
3. 160 g/mol
What I Can Do 2. 58 g/mol
1. 40 g/mol
A.
1. 89% O, 11% H What’s More
2. 17.65% H, 82.35% N
3. 47.52% O, 13.86%
What Is It N, 38.61% K
4. 65.31% O, 32.65%
Act. 1.1 S, 2.04% H
1. C B.
2. C 1. 40% O
2. 55.17% O
What I Know
3. A
4. A 3. 30% O 1. B
5. B 4. 56.14% O 2. B
Act. 1.2 C. 3. D
1. 3.01 x 1023 Al atoms 1. 61.6% H2O 4. B
2. 3.0 mole S atom 2. 27.36% H2O 5. D
Act. 1.3 6. C
A. 79.9 g/mole 7. D
B. 114.8 g/mole 8. B
C. 48.04 g/mole 9. A
D. 63.6 g/mole 10. C
E. 6 g/mole 11. B
Act. 1.4 12. A
A. 94.2 grams What’s New 13. C
B. 78.0 grams 14. C
Answers may vary. 15. D
C. 309 grams
Lesson 1
Answer Key
 25
Assessment
1. D
What I Can Do 2. B
3. B
A. 3,4 4. D
B. 1. Empirical
5. C
2. Empirical What’s More 6. A
3. Molecular 7. A
4. Molecular 8. B
5. Molecular 9. B
10. A
C. 1. NO2 11. A
2. CO2 12. B
3. HO 13. B
4. CH2 14. D
5. CH2O 15. D
6. N2O
7. H2O
8. CH
9. SiH3
10. C6H11O2
What’s New
Answers may vary.
Lesson 2
References

Maderal C, Domingo C, Anir R. CHEMISTRY SKILL BUILDERS AND EXERCISES,Great

Minds Book Sales Inc.(2005)

https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-formula-mass-605144
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/avogadros-number-and-the-
mole/

https://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/fyp/stone/tutorialnotefiles/fundamentals/empiri
cal.htm

https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/1f9ab792-61d8-4018-a3f6-
07a63ea79e5c
https://study.com/academy/lesson/balanced-chemical-equation-definition-
examples.html

https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/566af8ad602ebc9b7c1d15ee/balancing-chemical-
equations

26
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Gov. Noble St., Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo

City of Makati, Metropolitan Manila, Philippines 1212

Telefax: (632) 8882-5861 / 8882-5862

Email Address: makati.city@deped.gov.ph

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