Chemistry (5070) : Periodic Table

Lecture 27: Moles and Stoichiometry

 Empirical Formula
• Shows the simplest ratio in which atoms
combine.
• Helps identify the types of elements present in
the compound
• Found via experiments
 Steps to find empirical formula
• Find out mass of reactants taking part in the reaction
1

• Write the relative atomic mass for each element.

2

• Find the moles for each element (by dividing mass/Ar)

3

• Find the mole ratio (divide moles for each element with the element
4 with the smallest moles)

• Write the ratio number corresponding to each element in the

5 subscript
 Empirical Formula Example 1
• 1.08 g of aluminium combines chemically with 0. 96 g of oxygen to form
an oxide. What is the empirical formula of the oxide? [Relative atomic
mass: O, 16; Al, 27]

• Final Answer: Al2O3

 Empirical Formula Example 2
• Copper(II) iodide contains 20.13% copper by mass. Find its empirical
formula. [Relative atomic mass: Cu, 64; I, 127]

• Final Answer: copper(II) iodide is CuI2

Empirical Formula to Molecular Formula

• Shows the exact number of atoms for each

element in the molecule
• (Remember Ionic compounds are written in
the simplest form so do not have molecular
formula)
 Steps to find molecular formula
• Find the empirical formula
1

• Find the relative mass using empirical formula

2

• Find ‘n’ Dividing the molecular formula mass (provided

3 in question) by the empirical formula mass

• Multiply the empirical formula by ‘n’.

4
 Empirical Formula Example
•  8.5 g of hydrogen peroxide contains 0.5 g of hydrogen. If the molar mass of
hydrogen peroxide is 34 g mol-1, find its molecular formula. [Relative atomic
mass: H, 1; O,16]

Empirical formula of hydrogen peroxide is HO.

Let its molecular formula to be (HO)n.
Relative molecular mass = n[ 1 + 16] = 17n
Given that the molar mass of hydrogen peroxide is 34 g mol -1.
Therefore, 17n = 34
n = 34/17
n=2
Molecular formula of hydrogen peroxide is (HO)2, which is H2O2.