Week Six Lesson Note

SYMBOLS, FORMULAE AND EQUATIONS
EMPIRICAL AND MOLECULAR FORMULAE

SYMBOLS
Symbols are convenient ways of representing atom of various elements. Three
principles are adopted in assigning symbols to an element.
1) Using the elements with the first letter of the names as their symbols.
2) Elements with the first and one other letters of their names are used as
symbols.
3) Deriving the symbols from their Latin name.
1. Element with the first letter of their names and their symbols
Atomic number Elements Symbols
1 Hydrogen H
5 Boron B
6 Carbon C
7 Nitrogen N
8 Oxygen O
9 Fluorine F
15 Phosphorus P
16 Sulphur S
2. Elements with the first and one other letter of their names as symbols
Atomic number Element Symbol
2 Helium He
3 Lithium Li
4 Beryllium Be
10 Neon Ne
12 Magnesium Mg
13 Aluminium Al
14 Silicon Si
17 Chlorine Cl
18 Argon Ar
20 Calcium Ca
3. Elements that derive symbols from their Latin names

Atomic number Elements Latin names Symbols
11 Sodium Natrium Na
19 Potassium Kalium K
26 Iron Ferrum Fe
47 Silver Argentums Ag
50 Tin Stanium Sn
Atomic number Element Symbol valency
1. Hydrogen H 1
2. Helium He 2
3. Lithium Li 1
4. Beryllium Be 2
5. Boron B 3
6. Carbon C 2,4
7. Nitrogen N 3
8. Oxygen O 2
9. Fluorine F 1
10. Neon Ne Nil
11. Sodium Na 1
12. Magnesium Mg 2
13. Aluminium Al 3
14. Silicon Si 4
15. Phosphorous P 3
16. Sulphur S 2
17. Chlorine Cl 1
18. Argon Ar Nil
19. Potassium K 1
20. Calcium Ca 2
PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION
The percentage of an element in a compound is calculated from the relative
atomic mass of the element and the relative molecular mass of the
compound.
𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 ×𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Percentage of element = ×
𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟏
WORKED EXAMPLES
What is the percentage composition of the element in ethanol, C₂H₅OH
H=1, C=12, O=16
Solution
One molecule of C₂H₅OH contains
2 atoms of carbon 2×C = 2×12 = 24
6 atoms of Hydrogen 6×H = 6× 1 = 6
1 atom of Oxygen 1× O = 1 × 16 = 16
Relative molecular mass
Of C₂H₅OH 46
2×12 100
% of carbon = × = 52.5%
46 1
6×1 100
% Hydrogen = × = 13.0%
46 1
1×16 100
% of Oxygen = × = 34.8%
46 1
= 100%
The percentage of the third element can also be calculated by using this expression
100 – (% of carbon + % of Hydrogen)
100 – (52.2 +13.0) %
100 – 65.2
∴ % of O = 34.8%
EMPIRICAL FORMULA
The empirical formula of a compound shows the simplest ratio of the number of
atoms of different element in the compound. The ratio of atoms is the same as the
ratio of moles of each element in a compound.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Mole ratio =
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.
WORKED EXAMPLE
Analysis of a sample of an organic compound showed to contain 39.9% carbon,
6.9% hydrogen and 53.2% oxygen. Calculate the empirical formula.
Solution
Element Carbon(C) Hydrogen(H) Oxygen(O)
% composition by 39.9 6.9 53.2

mass
Mole ratio 39.9 6.9 53.2
=
% by mass 12 1 16
Atomic mass
3,33 6.9 3.33
Divide by the 3.33 6.9 3.33

smallest 3.33 3.33 3.33
1 2.07 1.0
Whole number 1 2 1
ratio
∴Empirical formula of the compound CH₂O
MOLECULAR FORMULA
The molecular formula of a compound gives the number of atoms of the different
elements present in molecule. The molecular formula can be determined drom its
empirical formula if the molar mass of the compound is known.
Molecular formula = (empirical formula) × 𝑛
Where n is a whole number
To write molecular formula we determine the value of n in the equation
Molar mass = n × (molar corresponding to empirical formula)
WORKED EXAMPLES
If the empirical formula of a compound is CH₂O, and the relative molecular mass is
60, what is the molecular formular of the compound
(C=12, H=1, O=16)
Solution
The molecular formula of the compound is a multiple of the empirical formula i.e.
(C₂H₂O)n
Where n is a whole number. The relative molecular mass of the compound is the
sum of the relative atomic masses of all the atoms in the compound and is equal to
60
(CH₂O)n = 60
(12 + 2+ 16)n = 60
(30)n = 60
60
n=
30
n=2
The molecular formula of the compound (CH₂O)₂
C₂H₄O₂
2) A sample of organic compound contains 0.624g Carbon, 0.065g Hydrogen,
0.364g Nitrogen and 0.208g Oxygen.
a. What is the empirical formula of the compound
b. If the relative molecular mass of the compound is 194.0. what is the
molecular formula ; (C=12, H=1, N=14, O=16)
Solution
Element C H N O
3. reading mass 0.624 0.065 0.364 0.208
Mole ratio 0.624 0.065 0.364 0.208

Reacting mass 12 1 14 16
=
Atomic mass 0.052 0.065 0.026
0.013
Divide by smallest 0.052 0.065 0.026 0.013

0.013 0.013 0.013
0.013
Whole ratio 4 5 2 1
∴ Empirical formula C₄H₅N₂O

b) To calculate the molecular formula, the relative molecular mass of the
compound = 194.0
Let the molecular formula of the compound = (C₄H₅N₂O)n
(C₄H₅N₂O)n = 194
(12× 4 + 1 × 5 + 14 × 2 + 1 × 16)𝑛 = 194
(48 + 5 + 28 + 16)n =194
(97)n = 194.0
194
n=
97
n=2
∴The molecular formula = (C₄H₅N₂O)₂
∴ C₈H₁₀N₄O₂ (caffeine)
LAW OF CHEMICAL COMBINATION

CHEMICAL EQUATION
A chemical equation represents a chemical reaction in terms of symbols and
formulae of the element and compound involved. The substance or ions taking
part in the reaction, i.e. reactants are written on the left hand side while the
substance formed in the reaction product are written on the right hand side. An
arrow indicates the direction of the reaction e.g. considering this equation.
A and B reacts to give C and D as the product
A+B C+D
Reactant Product
Steps in writing a chemical equation
i. The reactants and products are written down as a word equation.
Example: Hydrogen gas burn in oxygen gas to form water.
The word equation is
Hydrogen + Oxygen Water
ii. The formulae for each reactant and each product is then given
H₂ +O₂ H₂O
iii. The physical states of each reactant and products are put in after the
formula. The physical state are gas (g), liquid(L), solid (s) and aqeous (aq) (a
solution in water)
iv. Balancing of the equation. The above equation is not correct quantitatively
as it violates the law of conservation of mass. Although two hydrogen atoms
are indicated on both the left and the right sides of the equation. Two
oxygen atoms appear on the right side. The number of oxygen atoms are not
the same. Hence the equation is not balanced.
BALANCING CHEMICAL EQUATION

For an equation to be meaningful, it must be balanced. When balancing an
equation the following must be remembered.
i. Equation must be balanced through the use of co-efficient in front of the
formula.
ii. Common gases are written in their free state e.g. diatomic e.g. hydrogen H₂,
Oxygen O₂, Nitrogen N₂ and Chlorine Cl₂, Bromine Br₂, Fluorine F₂, and
Iodine I₂ respectively. Metals are all monoatomic e.g. Sodium Na, Potassium
K, Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) are represented by their symbols.
iii. Radicals remain unchanged during the reaction
iv. Adjust the number of molecules so that there will be the same number of
atopms on each sides of the equation.
H₂(g) + O₂(g) H₂O(c) (unbalanced)
The equation is balanced by using the simplest multiples of the formule. The above
equation is balanced when there are four atoms of hydrogen and two atoms of
oxygen on both sides of the equation i.e.
2H₂(g) + O₂(g) 2H₂O(i) (balanced)
Importance of chemical equations

A lot of information is given by chemical equation. A chemical equation can be
used to determine.
i. The stiochiometry of the reaction
ii. Molar mass of each compound
iii. The relative volumes of reactant and products if gaseous
iv. The reactant and product involved
v. The physical state of reactants and product.
SYMBOLS, FORMULAE AND EQUATIONS

LAWS OF CHEMICAL COMBINATION
The laws are as follows;
1. Law of conservation of mass (matter)
2. Law of definite proportion or constant composition
3. Law of multiple proportion
4. Law of reciprocal proportion
LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MASS (MATTER)
This law states that matter is neither created nor destroyed during the course a
chemical reaction, but changes from one form to another. It is also known as the
law of indestructibility of matter.
Verification of law of conservation of mass

The law can be verified by putting some silver trioxonitrate(v) solution into a
conical flask. Then carefully lower into the conical; flask a small test tube
containing appreciable amount of concentrated hydrochloric acid by means of a
thread, weigh the conical flask and its contents. Allow the contents to mix
carefully.
A white precipitate is seen to be formed as reaction takes place. Then weigh the
conical flask and its content again. You will see that the mass is exactly the same
before and after the reaction, it means that there is neither any loss or any gain in
mass during the reaction, the formation of the white precipitate of silver chloride
helps to show that matter has only been converted from one form to another.
The equation for the reaction
AgNo₃ + Hcl HNo₃ + Agcl
White precipitate.

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SYMBOLS, FORMULAE AND EQUATIONS

EMPIRICAL AND MOLECULAR FORMULAE

3. Elements that derive symbols from their Latin names

Atomic number Element Symbol valency

10. Neon Ne Nil

18. Argon Ar Nil

% composition by 39.9 6.9 53.2

3,33 6.9 3.33

Divide by the 3.33 6.9 3.33

∴Empirical formula of the compound CH₂O

3. reading mass 0.624 0.065 0.364 0.208

Mole ratio 0.624 0.065 0.364 0.208

Divide by smallest 0.052 0.065 0.026 0.013

∴ Empirical formula C₄H₅N₂O

LAW OF CHEMICAL COMBINATION

BALANCING CHEMICAL EQUATION

Importance of chemical equations

SYMBOLS, FORMULAE AND EQUATIONS

Verification of law of conservation of mass

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