Unit 1 Lecture 7:

Percent Composition, Empirical and Molecular

Formulas
The student can justify the observation that the ratio
of the masses of the constituent elements in any
pure sample of that compound is always identical on
the basis of the atomic molecular theory.
 Mass Percent/ Percent Composition

• Found
  by dividing the mass of the element by
the mass of the compound and multiplying by
100.

• Can be determined from molecular formula.

• NOTE: Subscripts indicate the mole ratio of elements
present in a compound.

• For iron in iron(III) oxide, (Fe2O3):

  55.85 𝑔
(2 𝑚𝑜𝑙)( )
𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 %  𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑒 = 𝑥 100 %=69.94 %
55.85 𝑔 16.00 𝑔
( 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 ) (
𝑚𝑜𝑙
+ ( 3 𝑚𝑜𝑙 ) ( )𝑚𝑜𝑙
)

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 EXERCISE!
Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3), also called
baking soda, is an active ingredient in some antacids
used for the relief of indigestion. Determine the
percent composition each element in NaHCO3 .
EXERCISE!

Consider separate 100.0 gram samples of each of

the following: 

H2O, N2O, C3H6O2, CO2

– Rank them from highest to lowest percent

oxygen by mass.

H2O, CO2, C3H6O2, N2O

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 Formulas
• A molecular formula of a compound , which
shows the elements symbols and numerical
subscripts, tells you the type and number of
each atom in a molecule.
• The empirical formula is the formula that
shows the smallest whole-number mole ratio
of the compound’s elements.

NOTE: Compound subscripts indicate the mole ratio of elements

present in a particular compound.
• Molecular formula
Benzene
(actual formula of
the compound)
– C6H6 = (CH)6
• Empirical formula
(shows simplest
whole-number
mole ratio) Acetylene
– CH

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Calculating Empirical Formula from Mass
Percent
• You can calculate the empirical
formula from percent by mass by
1. First, assuming you have 100.00
g of the compound.
2. Then, convert the mass of each
element to moles.
3. Finally, divide each mole value
by the smallest value.
• The empirical formula may or
may not be the same as the
molecular formula.
EXERCISE!

Methyl acetate is a solvent commonly used in

some paints, inks, and adhesives. Determine the
empirical formula for methyl acetate, which has
the following chemical analysis: 48.64% carbon,
8.16% hydrogen, and 43.20% oxygen.

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EXERCISE!

Succinic acid is a substance produced by lichens.

Chemical analysis indicates it is composed of 40.68%
carbon, 5.08% hydrogen, and 54.24% oxygen and
has a molar mass of 118.1 g/mol. Determine the
empirical and molecular formulas for succinic acid.

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EXERCISE!

The composition of adipic acid is 49.3% C, 6.9% H,

and 43.8% O (by mass). The molar mass of the
compound is about 146 g/mol.

– What is the empirical formula?

C3H5O2
– What is the molecular formula?
C6H10O4

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EXERCISE!

The mineral ilmenite is usually mined and processed

for titanium, a strong, light, and flexible metal. A
sample of ilmenite contains
5.41 g of iron, 4.64 g of titanium, and 4.65 g of
oxygen. Determine the empirical formula for
ilmenite.

Calculate the simplest ratio by

dividing each mole value by the
smallest value.

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 Hydrates
• Hydrates are compounds that incorporate water molecules
in their crystalline structures.
• The ratio of moles of water to one mole of the compound is
a
small whole
number.
– Example: Hydrated
copper(II) sulfate
pentahydrate
(CuSO4·5H2O),
has a
compound:water
ratio of 5:1.
 CuSO4·5H2O

Anhydrous forms of hydrates are often used to absorb water, particularly during shipment of
electronic and optical equipment.
In chemistry labs, anhydrous forms of hydrates are used to remove moisture from the air and
keep other substances dry.
 Determining Hydrate Formula
• When heated, water molecules are released from a
hydrate leaving an anhydrous compound.
– Weigh hydrate, then heat to drive
off the water.
– Change in mass = mass of water
lost
– Convert the known masses of H2O
and now anhydrous substance to moles.
– Find ratio of moles of H2O to mole of
anhydrous substance.
EXERCISE!

A mass of 2.50 g of blue, hydrated copper sulfate

(CuSO4•xH2O) is placed in a crucible and heated.
After heating, 1.59 g of white anhydrous copper
sulfate (CuSO4) remains. What is the formula for the
hydrate? Name the hydrate.

1. Weigh hydrate, then heat to drive off the water.

2. Change in mass = mass of water lost
3. Convert the known masses of H2O and now anhydrous
substance to moles.
4. Find ratio of moles of H2O to mole of anhydrous
substance.
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EXERCISE!

A 5.00 g sample of barium chloride hydrate was

heated in a crucible. After the experiment, the
mass of the solid weighed 4.26 g. Determine the
number of moles of water that must be attached
to BaCl2.

1. Weigh hydrate, then heat to drive off the water.

2. Change in mass = mass of water lost
3. Convert the known masses of H2O and now anhydrous
substance to moles.
4. Find ratio of moles of H2O to mole of anhydrous
substance.
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