Chemistry

Chapter 3: Mole concept, chemical formula and equation

1. Relative atomic mass, relative molecular mass and relative formula mass

- Relative Atomic mass (RAM)

 Comparing the mass of atom of an element to the mass of the atom of the other element
 Relative atomic mass of an element = Average mass of one atom of the element
1/12 x mass of one carbon atom

- Relative Molecular Mass (RMM)

 Relative Molecular Mass of a substance = Average mass of one molecule

1/12 x mass of one carbon atom

- Relative Formula Mass (RFM)

 Relative mass of an ionic substance

 Mass is calculated by summing up the relative atomic mass of all the atoms shown in the
formula of the ionic substance
 Mass of an ion does not differ from the mass of an atom
 Relative Formula Mass = Average mass of an ionic compound
1/12 x mass of one carbon atom

Example:

Calculate the relative formula mass of magnesium nitrate, Mg(NO₃)₂

(Relative atomic mass: N=14, O=16, Mg=24)

RFM = 24 + 2(14) + 6(16)

= 24 + 28 + 96

= 148
2. Mole concept

- SI unit for the amount of substance

- Avogadro constant, NA is the fixed number of particles in one mole substance.

- NA: 6.02 x 1023 mol -1

- Particles contain atoms, ions and molecules

Example:

(a) Calculate the number of molecules in 0.5 mole of carbon dioxide, CO₂

= 0.5 x 6.02 x 1023

= 3.01 x 1023 molecules

(b) Calculate the number of atoms in 0.5 mole of carbon dioxide, CO₂

= 0.5 x 6.02 x 1023 x 3

= 9.03 x 1023 atoms

(c) Calculate the number of oxygen atoms in 0.5 mole of carbon dioxide, CO₂

= 0.5 x 6.02 x 1023 x 2

= 6.02 x 1023

Number of particles = Number of moles x Avogadro constant

Number of moles = Number of particles / Avogadro constant