GENERAL CHEMISTRY 2

CONCENTRATION UNITS
The concentration of a solution is a measure of the
amount of solute that has been dissolved in a given
amount of solvent or solution.

Concentrated – the amount of solute is relatively high

Dilute – the amount of solute is relatively low
Dilute Concentrat
d ed
 Dilute
Concentrat d
ed
PERCENT BY MASS (% )
The percent by mass is the ratio of the mass of a solute
to the mass of the solution, multiplied by 100.
A sample of 0.892 g of sodium chloride (NaCl) is dissolved in 54.6 g of water to
make a brine solution. What is the percent by mass of sodium chloride in the
solution?
Solution
Given: mass of solute (NaCl) = 0.892 g
mass of solvent (H2O) = 54.6 g
Unknown: Percent by mass
Computation:
Adrian dissolved 10.0 g of sugar in 250 mL of water (the volume of a cup of coffee). Calculate
the % by mass of sugar in the solution. The density of water is 1.00
Solution
Given: mass of solute (sugar) = 10.0 g
mass of solvent (water) = 250 mL
density of solvent (water) = 1.00
Unknown: % by mass
Computation:
A sample of benzoic acid solution in soda is 0.50% by mass. What mass of benzoic
acid is present in 150 g solution?
Solution
Given: mass of solution = 150 g
% by mass = 0.50%
Unknown: mass of solute (benzoic acid)
Computation:
PERCENT BY VOLUME (% )
Percent by volume is the ratio of volume (mL) of solute
(liquid) to volume (mL) of solution, multiplied by 100.
Some examples of solutions that can be
expressed in percent by volume are white
vinegar (made of 6% acetic acid in water) and
vodka (a mixture of about 50% ethyl alcohol
and water). Normally, the alcohol content of
hard liquor is given by the term “proof”, which
is defined as twice the percentage by volume of
ethanol present.
What is the percent by volume of a solution that contains 3.5 mL acetic acid and
100 mL water?
Solution
Given: volume of solute (acetic acid) = 3.5 mL
volume of solvent (water) = 100 mL
Unknown: Percent by volume
Computation:
Seven hundred fifty milliliters (750 mL) of a well-known alcoholic beverage is
marked to be 55.0 proof. How many mL of ethanol are present in the alcoholic
beverage?
Solution
Given: volume of solution = 750 mL
proof number = 55.0
Unknown: volume of solute (ethanol)
Computation: