GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1

Quarter 1 / Module 3 / Week 3

Molecular Formula from Percent Composition

Learning Competencies

- Calculate molecular formula given the molar mass

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should be able to

- Define mole and the molar mass of substances
- Differentiate molecular formula from empirical formula
- Compute for the molecular and empirical formulas of a substance
from percent composition with a given molar mass

Introduction
From the last module that you studied, you dealt with determining the
empirical formula of a substance. This was possible provided that the percent
composition of the substance was also given. Thus, you were also briefly introduced
to the concept of mole.
Sometimes, the empirical formula of a compound may be the exact formula of that
substance. Thus, it is also important to determine the exact formula of the substance
and this is called the molecular formula.
In this part of the module, we will try to determine the molecular formula of a
substance from percent composition given the molar mass of that substance.

Let’s Recall
Instructions: Write your answers on your answer sheet.

1. Which of the following is an empirical formula?

a. MgSO4 c. C2O4
b. C6H12O6 d. N2O4

2. Of the given choices below, the molecular formula is ______.

a. NH2 c. CH2O
b. N2H4 d. CH2

3. Which represents the correct molar mass of a substance?

a. 1 mole NH3 = 15 g c. 1 mole SO2 = 50 g
b. 1 mole NaCl = 55 g d. 1 mole H2O = 18 g

4. Which is the correct value of Avogadro’s number?

a. 6.08 x 1023 particles c. 6.08 x 1022 particles
23
b. 6.02 x 10 particles d. 6.02 x 1022 particles

5. The molar mass of a substance is always equal to the formula mass of the
 substance in grams. This statement is
a. Always true c. Sometimes true
b. Never true d. Lacks information to decide.
Let’s Understand

The molecular mass of CO2 is 44 amu. This refers to the mass of one molecule of that
substance. But exactly how many particles are there in 44 amu of CO2? How do you weigh 44
amu in the laboratory?
To keep track of the number of atoms or molecules that enter a chemical reaction,
chemists were able to count atoms and molecules by relating it to a specific value or number
to mass. They created a counting unit called mole that consists of 6.02 x 1023 particles (can
be atoms, molecules, or ions). This number is called Avogadro’s number (N) in honor of
Italian physicist and chemist, Amedeo Avogadro. The mole also refers to the number of 126𝐶
atoms contained in 12.00000 g of 126𝐶 . We must note that a mole of any element or any
substance contains the same number of particles as a mole of another element or substance.
Refer to the illustrative examples below.
1 mole of any substance = 6.02 x 1023 particles
1 mole of Na = 6.02 x 1023 atoms
1 mole of H2O = 6.02 x 1023 molecules
For as long as there is only 1 mole of any substance, they will all contain the same
number of particles. But what about the mass of 1 mole of this substance? The mass of 1 mole
of any substance is equal to the formula mass of that substance but in grams. This is known
as the molar mass. Refer to the given examples below.
1 mole of any substance = 6.02 x 1023 particles = molar mass of that
substance
1 mole of Na = 6.02 x 1023 atoms = 23 g
1 mole of H2O = 6.02 x 1023 molecules = 18 g

Check Your Understanding!

Instructions: Answer briefly. You may provide an explanation to your answer.
1. For 1 mole of any substance, will they always have the same number of particles?
Same molar mass?
2. What is the molar mass of 2 moles of H2O?

Difference between Molecular Formula and Empirical Formula

The molecular formula is exact chemical formula of a substance that contains the
exact number of atoms of each the constituent elements of a given substance. This is also
described as the true formula of a compound. On the other hand, the empirical formula of a
compound gives the simplest or the smallest whole number ratio of the atoms that make up
the compound. It is the simplest formula representing a compound.
In the previous learning module, we have already discussed how to determine the
empirical formula of a compound. Now in this part of the module, we shall add to our existing
steps, a few more procedures so that we will be able to successfully determine the molecular
formula of a compound.

Steps in Determining the Molecular Formula of a Compound

Provided that you are given the percent composition and the molar mass of the
compound, here are the following steps.
1. Change the given percent to mass in grams as if you have 100 grams of the given

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 compound.
2. Determine the number of moles by dividing each mass of the elements by their
respective atomic masses in grams.
3. Determine the mole ratio by dividing the quotients with the smallest quotient obtained
in Step 2. The number obtained from this step becomes the subscripts of each element
in the compound. This becomes your empirical formula (EF).
4. If a whole number is not obtained from Step 3, multiply all the numbers by whatever
number that is necessary to make the subscripts a whole number. (See example
below.)

If any of these quotients appear, then multiply all the quotients with the following
numbers to make it a whole number. Otherwise, just round off to the nearest whole
number.
Quotients Number to Multiply
. 25 x4
. 33 x3
.5 x2
.6 x3
5. Determine the empirical mass (EM) of the compound. This can be determined from
the empirical formula determined in Steps 3 or 4.
6. Determine the x multiple or x factor by dividing the molar mass of the compound by
the empirical mass of the compound. The molecular formula can be obtained by
multiplying the number of atoms of the empirical formula by the obtained multiple.

Sample Problem 1
The active component found in tea and coffee is a white solid that contains 49.5%
carbon, 5.20% hydrogen, 28.8 % nitrogen and 16.5 % oxygen by mass. The molecular mass
of the compound is 194.1 g/mol. What is the molecular formula of the compound?

Elements Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 (EF) Step 5 (EM)

C 49.5 g 49.5 g ÷ 12 g/mol = 4.13 mol 4.13 mol÷1.03 mol = 4 4 x 12g = 48 g
H 5.20 g 5.20 g ÷ 1 g/mol = 5.20 mol 5.20 mol÷1.03 mol = 5 5 x 1 g = 5 g
N 28.8 g 28.8 g ÷ 14 g/mol = 2.06 mol 2.06 mol÷1.03 mol = 2 2 x 14 g = 28 g
O 16.5 g 16.5 g ÷ 16 g/mol = 1.03 mol 1.03 mol÷1.03 mol = 1 1 x 16 g = 16 g
From Step 3, since the values are whole numbers, so we skipped Step 4. The empirical
formula is C4H5N2O and its empirical mass is 97.0 g based from Step 5. Then the x multiple
will be
x multiple = Molecular mass = 194.1 g/mol =2
Empirical mass 97.0 g/mol
Therefore, the molecular formula is (C4H5N2O) 2 = C8H10N4O2.

Sample Problem 2
Determine the molecular formula for ibuprofen, a common headache remedy. Analysis
of ibuprofen yields a molar mass of 206 g/mol and a percent composition of 75.7% C, 8.80%
H, and 15.5% O. Determine the molecular formula.
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 (EF)
75.7 g C 75.7 g ÷ 12 g/mol = 6.30 mol 6.30mol÷0.969 =6.51 X 2 = 13
8.80 g H 8.80 g ÷ 1 g/mol = 8.80 mol 8.80mol÷0.969 = 9.08 x 2 = 18 EF : C13H18O2
15.5 g O 15.5 g ÷ 16 g/mol = 0.969 mol 0.696mol÷0.969 = 1 x2=2

In Step 4, we multiplied all quotients by 2 since we have a point 51 from 6.51 so we

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cannot apply rounding off. Now, the empirical formula mass is
13 atoms C x 12 g = 156 g Empirical Mass C13H18O2 = 206 g
18 atoms H x 1 g/mol = 18 g
2 atoms O x 16 g/mol = 32 g

Computing for the x multiple.

x multiple = Molecular mass = 206 g/mol =1
Empirical mass 206 g/mol

Therefore, the molecular formula is (C13H18O2) 1 = C13H18O2

Let’s Apply
Instructions: Solve for the empirical formula as well as the molecular formula.
1. Analysis of a chemical compound used in photographic developing fluid
indicates a chemical composition of 65.45% C, 5.48% H, and 29.08% O.
The molecular mass is found to be 110.0 g/mol. Determine the molecular
formula.
2. Glycerol is a thick, sweet liquid obtained as a byproduct of the manufacture
of soap. Its percent composition is 39.12% C, 8.75% hydrogen, and 52.12%
oxygen. The molecular mass is 92.11 g/mol. What is the molecular formula
for glycerol?

Let’s Analyze
Analyze and solve completely. Will your answers be correct even if the
masses do not add up to 100 g in each number? Explain.
1. Determine the molecular formula of a compound containing 27.3 g carbon,
4.55 g hydrogen and 36.4 g oxygen. The molar mass of the compound is
90 g/mol. What is the empirical and molecular formulas of the compound?
2. A compound was found to contain 49.98 g carbon and 10.47 g hydrogen.
The molecular mass of the compound is 58.12 g/mol. Determine the
molecular formula.

Day 2
Chemical Equations
Introduction

Many chemical reactions happen every day. In fact, the food we eat will never
taste that good if we do not add some substances that make them delicious, plus the
effect of heating or cooking food which activates several chemical reactions aided by
heat.
How do we know that a chemical reaction has taken place? There are many
evidence to look out for like change of color, evolution of heat, formation of precipitate
and even evolution of gases and we represent chemical reactions using chemical
equations. This is what you will be doing in this part of the module

Learning Competency

- Write and balanced chemical reactions

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 Learning Objectives

- Classify the basic types of chemical reactions

- Write chemical reactions in chemical equation form
- Balance chemical equations

Introduction
Many chemical reactions happen every day. In fact, the food we eat will never taste
that good if we do not add some substances that make them delicious, plus the effect of
heating or cooking food which activates several chemical reactions aided by heat.
How do we know that a chemical reaction has taken place? There are many evidence
to look out for like change of color, evolution of heat, formation of precipitate and even
evolution of gases and we represent chemical reactions using chemical equations. This is
what you will be doing in this part of the module

Let’s Recall (Pretest)

Instructions: Read each item carefully and choose the letter of your choice.

1. Which of the following processes is exothermic?

a. Melting c. Evaporation
b. Freezing d. Sublimation
2. Which of the following is a single replacement reaction?
a. Al + BaO → Al2O3 + 3Ba c. H2 + O2 → H2O
b. Li + NaOH → LiOH + Na d. C2H6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
3. Which of the following is correctly balanced?
a. 2Al(l) + BaO(s) → Al2O3(s) + 3Ba(l)
b. CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)
c. Cl2(g) + KBr(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + Br2(l)
d. 2Na(s) + H2O(l) → 2 NaOH(s) + H2(g)
4. Which of the following is TRUE of a balanced equation?
a. The total number of atoms remains the same.
b. The kinds of atoms remain the same.
c. The total number of molecules remains the same.
d. The number of atoms of each element remains the same.
5. When oxygen is available, sulfur dioxide is produced from the burning of sulfur.
Which of the following word equations best represents this reaction?
a. sulfur + oxygen → sulfur dioxide c. sulfur dioxide → sulfur + oxygen
b. sulfur dioxide + oxygen → sulfur d. sulfur → sulfur dioxide + oxygen

Let’s Understand

In general, chemical reactions often involve heat in the process. When heat is
absorbed, the process becomes cold and it is said to be an endothermic reaction. When a
system of low energy and is converted to something with high energy, energy in the form of
heat is going to be absorbed. An example of this process is melting where a solid object (low
energy) is changed to liquid (high energy). But when energy in the form of heat is released,
the system becomes hot and is called an exothermic reaction. An example of this process

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is freezing simply because a liquid (high energy substance) is converted to solid (low energy
matter). In the process, heat is released.
Different chemical reactions happen in our daily lives and in the environment and these
can be classified as:
1. Composition or Combination Reactions
2. Decomposition Reactions
3. Single Replacement Reactions
4. Double displacement Reactions
These are the basic chemical reactions that we will be dealing with in this part of the
module although there are other types that we will encounter throughout our study of
Chemistry. Let us now look at each of this closely in chemical equations.

Combination Reaction
This is defined as when two or more substances chemically combine to form a more
complex substance. This happens when all the reactants are converted to one main product.
This takes the general equation A + B → AB, where A and B are the reactants and AB is the
product.
Example:
Sodium + chlorine gas → sodium chloride
2 Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl

Depending on the nature of the reactants involved, combination reactions may follow
different formation patterns such as these below.
1. Metal + nonmetal → salt
2 Li + S → Li2S
2. Nonmetal oxide + water → oxyacid
CO2 + H2O → H2CO3
3. Metal + oxygen → metallic oxide
2 Mg + O2 → 2 MgO
4. Metallic oxide + water → Base
Na2O + H2O → 2 NaOH
5. Nonmetal + oxygen → nonmetallic oxide
C + O2 → CO2
6. Metallic oxide + Nonmetallic oxide → salt
MgO + SO3 → MgSO4

Decomposition Reactions
In this reaction, usually a compound breaks into its component parts. Sometimes, this
reaction happens faster with the aid of catalysts like heat, electricity, radiation, enzymes, and
other chemicals. This reaction takes the form AB → A + B where AB is the reactant and A and
B are the products. In principle, this looks like the opposite of combination reactions.
Example:
Mercuric oxide when heated is broken into mercury and oxygen
2 HgO → 2 Hg + O2

Single Replacement Reactions

This is also known as substitution reaction where an active free element reacts by
replacing another in element in a compound. However, this comes with the idea that the free
element is more active and of the same nature as the element it replaces. This reaction follows
the general equation A + BC → AC + B.
Example:

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 Calcium added to water produced white precipitate calcium oxide and hydrogen
gas
Ca + H2O → CaO + H2

To be able to determine which element will be replaced and if a reaction is possible or

not, we need to know the activity series for both metals and some nonmetals specifically for
halogens. The activity series is an arrangement of elements which shows which metals can
displace another from an aqueous solution if it’s salt or acid. Refer to the activity series below.

Activity Series for Metals

Li > K > Ba > Ca > Na > Mg > Al > Mn > Zn > Cr > Fe> Co > Ni > Sn > Pb > (H) > Cu > Hg > Ag > Au
Activity Series for Halogens
F2 > Cl2 > Br2 > I2
If the free element is more active than the one it will replace, then a chemical reaction
will happen. But if the free element is less active than the one it will replace; no reaction will
take place.
Example: Al + BaS → No Reaction

Double Displacement Reactions

For this reaction, two compounds are reactants and the positive ion (cation) will replace
the cation in another compound. To put this simply, there will be exchanges or “swapping of
reactants.” This reaction takes the general equation AB + CD → AD + CB. In this equation, A
and C are the cations and B and D are the anions.
Below are some examples of this type of reaction.
1. A reaction between a salt and a base
2 NaNO3 + Ca(OH)2 → Ca (NO3)2 + 2 NaOH
2. Reaction between two salts
2 KCl + Pb(NO3)2 → PbCl2 + 2 KNO3
3. A salt and an acid
Ba(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2 HNO3
4. Reaction between a metal carbonate and an acid
MgCO3 + HCl → MgCl2 + H2O + CO2
5. Reaction between an acid and a base
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O

Balancing Chemical Equations

All of the example equations above are balanced equations. Why do we have to
balanced chemical equations? In the late eighteenth century, Antoine Lavoisier, a French
chemist, extensively studied and explained the nature of combustion. He found out that
combustion involved reaction with oxygen. His experiments, in which he carefully weighed
the reactants and products of various reactions, suggested that mass is neither created nor
destroyed. Lavoisier’s discovery of this law of conservation of mass was the basis for the
development in chemistry in the nineteenth century.
A chemical change involves reorganization of the atoms in one or more substances.
The law of conservation of mass requires that there must be exactly as many atoms among
the combined products of a chemical reaction as in its combined reactants and a balanced
equation conforms to the law of conservation of mass.

Steps in writing and Balancing Chemical Equations

There is no prescribed method when it comes to balancing equations. But to make this easy,
we need to follow and keep in mind the following simple steps or reminders.
1. Write the correct formula of the reactants and products. This means that for elemental

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 substances, they are normally written as monatomic except of the seven (7) diatomic
elements which are H2, N2, I2, Br2, O2, Cl2 and F2. The formula of the compounds
can be obtained from the oxidation number of the elements in that compound.
2. Start balancing with the more complex parts or those compounds that contain several
elements in them.
3. Balance the equation by inspection method. Add coefficients before the formula of
each substance and not in between nor as a subscript. Do NOT change the identities
of the chemical formulas. Hydrogen and oxygen are last to be balanced.
4. Polyatomic ions or radicals are balanced as if it is a single unit.

Remember, a balanced equation should have the same number of atoms for all the
elements found in both the reactants and products side.

Example 1: When aluminum and barium oxide are heated together, a vigorous reaction
begins, and elemental barium and aluminum oxide, Al2O3, are formed. The balanced
equation is
2Al(l) + 3BaO(s) → Al2O3(s) + 3Ba(l)
Elements Reactants Products
Al 1 (2) 2
Ba 1 (3) 3
O 1 (3) 3

Example 2: Natural gas or methane burns with oxygen gas to produce carbon dioxide and
water. Write a balanced chemical equation for this.
CH4(g) + O2(g) → CO2(g) + H2O(g)
Elements Reactants Products
C 1 1
H 4 2
O 2 2+1
Solution: Place the coefficient 2 before water. Hydrogen become 4 and in effect oxygen
there becomes 2. Place another coefficient 2 in front of oxygen at the reactants side and this
in effect this will make it 4. The balanced equation now is
CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2 H2O(g)
Elements Reactants Products
C 1 1
H 4 2 (2) = 4
O 2 (2) = 4 2 + 1(2) = 4

Let’s Apply!
Instructions: Balance the following equations and identify the type of chemical reaction
1. KNO3 → KNO2 + O2(g)
2. H2(g) + I2(g) → HI(g)
3. Al(s) + O2(g) → Al2O3(s)
4. H3PO4(aq) + NH3(aq) → (NH4)3PO4(aq)
5. AlCl3 + NaNO3 → NaCl + Al(NO3)3

Let’s Analyze!
Write the chemical equation of the following chemical reactions. Check the

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equation if it conforms with the Law of Conservation of Mass.
1. Aqueous aluminum hydroxide decomposes to form solid aluminum oxide and liquid
water.
2. One molecule of solid magnesium nitride reacts with six molecules of liquid water to
form three moles of aqueous magnesium hydroxide and two moles of aqueous
ammonia.
3. Two molecules of silver nitrate react with sulfuric acid to produce silver sulfate and two
molecules of nitric acid.
4. Potassium nitrate decomposes to produce potassium nitrite and oxygen gas.

Day 3
Mole Relationships with Balanced Equations

Learning Competency

Construct mole or mass ratios for a reaction in order to calculate the amount of
reactant needed or amount of product formed in terms of moles or mass

Learning Objectives
- Describe the steps in converting mole problems involving balanced
equations
- Interconvert number of moles, mass, and number of particles
- Compute for the amount of reactants needed and amount of products
formed

Introduction
Atoms and molecules are incredibly small. There is no way of counting the number of
atoms or molecules to get their mass. This is precisely the reason why chemists are thankful
of the discovery or formulation of the mole – a counting unit. In the previous part of this module,
you have been introduced to the mole concept. How does the concept of mole apply in
balanced chemical equations and in chemical reactions? How does this simplify calculations
involving mass, number of particles, atoms or molecules and number of moles in a balanced
chemical equation?
The relationship between mass, number of moles and number of particles is essential
in chemical calculations which is termed as stoichiometry. This is a necessary tool in
obtaining the right information in terms of mass, mole and number of particles between
reactants and products in a chemical reaction
In this part of the module, we will try learn how the mole concept is applied in analyzing
problems related to balanced chemical equations.

Let’s Recall (Pretest)

Instructions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of your answer.

1. Which of the following represents a mole?

a. 5 g of NaCl c. 3.01 x 1023 CH4 molecules
23
b. 6.02 x 10 F atoms d. 24 g graphite, C-atom
2. Which statement is NOT true?
a. One mole of a substance contains a fixed number of particles.

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 b. One mole each of different substances have different masses and different
number of particles.
c. One mole each of different substances have the same number of particles but
they have different masses.
d. The formula weight of the compound is equal to one mole of that substance.

Refer to the following equation for questions 3-5.

CS2 + 2CaO → CO2 + 2CaS
3. How many grams of CaS are obtained if 152 g of CS2 is consumed in the reaction?
a. 288 g b. 144 g c. 72 g d. 14.4 g
4. How many grams of CaS are obtained if 44 g of CO2 is produced?
a. 288 g b. 144 g c. 72 g d. 14.4 g
5. A mixture of 26 g CaO and 38 g of CS2 are allowed to react. What is the limiting reagent?
a. CaO b. CS2 c. CO2 d. CaS

Let’s Understand

A balanced equation shows the relative masses of the reactants and products in a
chemical reaction. If the reaction is favorable, then all the reactants will be used up and
converted as a product. There are many stoichiometric problems that relate the quantitative
study of the reactants and products. In this module, we will deal with mole-mole relationships,
mole-mass relationships and mass-mass relationships.
A. Mole-Mole Relationship
You are given the number of moles of one element and you are to solve the number
of moles of another. This is the simplest type of conversion using the mole concept.

Example 1: Consider the equation below, how many moles of Na 2CO3 will be produced from
3 moles of Na2O? Na2CO3 → Na2O + CO2
Solution:1. Check first if the equation is balanced and interpret it using the mole
concept
1 mole Na2CO3 → 1 mole Na2O + 1 mole CO2
2. Use the balanced equation as a conversion factor involving the given data
and the one being asked to solve.
Conversion Factor: 1 mole Na2CO3 = 1 mole Na2O
3. Solve using the factor label method. Cancel similar units.
3 moles Na2O x 1 mole Na2CO3 = 3 moles Na2CO3
1 mole Na2O
Example 2: How many moles of O2 are needed to react with 6 moles of NH3?
2 NH3 + 1.5 O2 → N2 + 3 H2O
Solution: 1. Check first if the equation is balanced and interpret it using the mole
concept
2 moles NH3 + 1.5 moles O2 → 1 mole N2 + 3 moles H2O
2. Use the balanced equation as a conversion factor involving the given
data and the one being asked to solve.
Conversion Factor: 2 moles NH3 = 1.5 moles O2
3. Solve using the factor label method. Cancel similar units.
6 moles NH3 x 1.5 mole O2 = 4.5 moles O2
2 moles NH3

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B. Mole-Mass Relationship
The most convenient unit for measuring mass of reactants and products in the laboratory is
grams. To convert moles to grams and vice versa, you will need the molar mass of the
compound or element asked.

Example 1: How many grams of NH3 are produced from 2.5 moles N2?
N2 + 3 H2 → 2 NH3
Solution: To solve this type of problem, just follow this process: mole →mole → mass
1. Check if the chemical equation is balanced and interpret using the mole concept.
2. Use the balanced equation as a conversion factor involving the given data and the
one being asked to solve and its molar mass. Conversion Factors: 1 mole N2 = 2
moles NH3, 1 mole NH3 = 17 g
3. Solve using the factor label method to cancel similar units

2.5 moles N2 2 moles NH3 17 g NH3 = 85 g NH3

1 mole N2 1 mole NH3

Example 2. How many moles of O2 are needed to produce 40 g of water?

2 H2 + O2 →2 H2O
Solution: The same steps as the first sample above but the process is reverse:
grams→mole→mole.
40 g H2O 1 mole H2O 1 mole O2 = 1.11 moles O2
18 g H2O 2 moles H2O
C. Mass-Mass Relationship
In this type of problem, you will have to remember that you need both the molar masses of
the given data and the one being asked. However, you cannot successfully convert this unless
you go through the mole to mole conversion. Solution process: grams→mole→mole→mass

Example: Consider the reaction below, how many grams of O2 are needed to produce
250 g of
CO2? 2 moles C2H6 + 7 moles O2 → 4 moles CO2 + 6 moles H2O

Solution:
Step 1: Change the mass of the given substance to number of moles. You will need
the molar mass of the given substance. In this case, 1 mole CO2 = 44 g
Step 2: Convert the derived moles of the given substance to the number of moles of
the other substance using the balanced chemical equation.
Step 3: Finally, convert the derived moles of the unknown substance to mass. You will
need the molar mass of the unknown substance. In this case, 1 mole O 2 = 32g

250 g CO2 1 mole CO2 7 moles O2 32 g O2

= 318.2 g O2
44 g CO2 4 moles CO2 1 mole O2

You may also opt to round your answers based on significant figures.

Let’s Apply!
Instructions: Solve the following completely.

1. Magnesium burns in oxygen to produce magnesium oxide. How many

moles of oxygen gas are needed to burn 1.2 moles of magnesium?

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 2. How many grams of lead (II) nitrate are produced from 5.5 moles of sodium
iodide? Pb(NO3)2 + NaI → NaNO3 + PbI2
3. What mass of copper is produced from 25 g of iron in the reaction below?
Fe + CuSO4 → Cu + FeSO4

Let’s Analyze

Instructions: Answer as directed. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

1. How will you describe the steps involved in the following conversions?
A. Mole to mole
B. Mole to mass
C. Mass to mass

For numbers 2-4, refer to the equation below.

Fe2O3 + CO → Fe + CO2

2. Fifteen grams of Fe2O3 was allowed to react with CO. How much iron, Fe will
be produced from the reaction?
3. If 8.4 g of CO completely reacted with Fe 2O3, how much iron, Fe will be
produced from the reaction?
4. If 10.5 g of Fe was produced from the reaction, what mass of CO completely
reacted in the process?

Day 4
The Role of Limiting Reactants

Learning Competency
Calculate percent yield and theoretical yield of the reaction

Learning Objectives
- Define limiting and excess reactants
- Solve for the actual and theoretical yield
- Compute for the percent yield

Introduction

We have said that when everything is ideal and all suitable conditions are met, then all
your reactants will be converted to products. That is if you have 10 grams of reactants then
the will also have the same amount of products in accordance with the Law of Conservation
of Mass. But does this happen in the real-life setting especially when you go to the laboratory
and perform certain experiments? What dictates how much of the product is formed?
In this part of the module, we will try to find out and study why not all reactants are
converted to products. Enjoy!

Let’s Recall (Pretest)

Instructions: Choose the best answer. Write the letters only.

1. This is known as the reactant that is used up completely in a chemical reaction.

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 a. Limiting Reactant c. Percent Yield
b. Excess Reactant d. Theoretical Yield
2. This is the ideal amount of product formed when conditions are suitable for
complete reaction
a. Limiting Reactant c. Actual Yield
b. Excess Reactant d. Theoretical Yield
3. This is the reactant that is not used up completely in a chemical reaction
a. Limiting reactant c. Actual Yield
b. Excess reactant d. Theoretical Yield
4. The actual yield can be computed using the ____.
a. Limiting reactant c. Actual Yield
b. Excess reactant d. Theoretical Yield
5. A reaction contains 5 g of sodium and 10 grams of chlorine. Since sodium has
the smaller amount, it is the limiting reactant. This statement is
a. Always true c. Needs to be solved.
b. Always false d. Cannot be determined

Let’s Understand

Not all of the reactants will be converted to products especially when you conduct and
experiment in the laboratory. There is always that tendency to commit human errors plus the
fact that human beings perform certain degree of estimation in their measurements. Other
factors to consider include the materials used and their respective calibration and to add to
this would be the environmental conditions.
With this being said, some reactions involve excess reactants or reactants
which are not used up completely. It is therefore important to identify the limiting reactant,
which is the reactant that is completely used up in the chemical reaction. Incidentally, the
limiting reactant also determines the amount of product formed and this is known as the
theoretical yield. The theoretical yield is the amount of product that would result if all the
limiting reactants are used up in the chemical reaction. However, the product that is actually
obtained during the chemical reaction is the actual yield. So how do we determine this?
Consider the example below.

Example 1: An experiment was done to form sodium chloride from 50 g of sodium and 70 g
of chloride. Which is the limiting reactant? What is the theoretical yield? How much is the
percent yield if the actual yield 100 g NaCl?

Solution: Step 1: Write and balance the equation for this reaction
2 moles Na + 1 mole Cl2 → 2 moles NaCl
Step 2: Convert the given masses to number of moles. Then convert each of the
number
of moles to the given product. The reactant that yields the lesser amount of
the
product is the limiting reactant.

50 g Na 1 mole Na 2 moles NaCl 58 moles NaCl = 126 g NaCl

23 g Na 2 moles Na 1 mole NaCl

70 g Cl2 1 mole Cl2 2 moles NaCl 58 moles NaCl= 116 g NaCl

70 g Cl2 1 mole Cl2 1 moles NaCl

Step 3: Determine the theoretical yield. This is the product formed from the identified

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 limiting reactant.

Since 70 g Cl2 yielded a smaller amount of the product, therefore the

theoretical
yield is 116 g NaCl. The 50 g of Na is the excess reactant.

The ratio of the actual yield to the theoretical yield is known as the percent yield. This
is computed using the formula below.

Percent Yield = Actual yield X 100 %

Theoretical Yield

= 100 g NaCl X 100 %

116 g NaCl
= 86.2 %
This can be interpreted as the accuracy done in performing the experiment for you
have only recovered 86.2 % of the theoretical yield.

Example 2: A sample containing 18 g of NH3 is reacted with 90 g of CuO forming solid copper,
nitrogen gas and water vapor. Which is the limiting reactant? What is the percent yield if the
actual yield is 10 g nitrogen gas? How much of the excess reactant reacts with the limiting
reactant?

2 moles NH3 + 3 moles CuO → 1 mole N2 + 3 moles Cu + 3 moles H2O

Solution:
18 g NH3 1 mole NH3 1 mole N2 28 g N2 = 14.8 g N2
17 g NH3 2 moles NH3 1 mole N2

90 g CuO 1 mole CuO 1 mole N2 28 moles N2 = 10.5 g N2

80 g CuO 3 moles CuO 1 mole N2
Percent Yield = Actual yield X 100 %
Theoretical Yield

= 10 g N2 X 100 %
10.5 g N2
= 95.2 %

To solve for how much of the excess reactant will react to the limiting reactant, convert
the given amount of the limiting reactant to the unknown mass of the identified excess
reactant.

90 g CuO 1 mole CuO 2 moles NH3 17 moles NH3 = 12.6 g NH3

80 g CuO 3 moles CuO 1 mole NH3

Only 12.6 g of the initial 18 g NH3 will react to the limiting reactant which is CuO.

Let’s Apply

Solve completely. Write your answers on the answer sheet.

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 A mixture of 3.00 g of Bi2O3 and 0.500 g C are used to produce bismuth
and CO in the reaction
Bi2O3 + C → Bi + CO

1. Determine the limiting reagent and the excess reagent.

2. What is the mass of the excess reagent?

Let’s Evaluate (Assessment)

Instructions: Answer each part as directed. Use your answer sheet.

A. Balance the following chemical equations.

1. Fe+ Cl2 → FeCl3
2. Fe+ O2 → Fe2O3
3. FeBr3 + H2SO4 → Fe2(SO4 )3 + HBr
4. C4H6O3 + H2O → C2H4O2
5. C2H4 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
6. C4H10O+ O2 → CO2 + H2O
7. C7H16 + O2 → CO2 + H2O

B. Solve completely.

Alcohol can denaturize the outer structure of some viruses. Ethanol (C 2H5OH), a
flammable liquid burns with oxygen and produce carbon dioxide and water. If 100 g of
ethanol combines with 50 g of oxygen, how much carbon dioxide is formed? How much of
the excess reactant will react to the limiting reactant?

Let’s Create!
Task: How will you measure 8 moles of the common table sugar (C 12H22O11) at
home? Device a set of procedures, show calculations as to how you are going to
achieve this at home. Use a Power point presentation in presenting your plan. Good luck!
Criteria 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points
Content Presented 5 Presented 4 Presented 3 Presented 2
accurate and accurate and accurate and accurate and
interesting facts interesting facts interesting facts interesting facts
Graphics Selection, color, Selection, color, Selection, color, Selection, color,
shape and shape, and shape, and shape, and
arrangement arrangement arrangement do arrangement are
contribute to the contribute some not contribute irrelevant or
appeal and meaning for some meaning distracting for
meaning of the product for product product
product
References All the 5 facts All the 4 facts All the 3 facts All the 2 facts
have sources have sources have sources have sources
identified identified identified identified

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