3.

The Mole Concept

Relative isotopic mass (Ir )
C (which is 12 exactly)
Mass of an atom of that isotope relative to the mass of an atom of 12
- No units. Approximately equal to the mass number
- 12C chosen because Carbon is abundant, and naturally occurring Carbon is predominantly
12
C
- Obtained by using a mass spectrometer

Relative Atomic mass (Ar)

The weighted average of the relative masses of the isotopes of the element relative to the mass of
C atom (which is 12 exactly)
a 12

Ar = (relative isotopic mass x %abundance) / 100

Example Question:
Cu has a relative isotopic mass of 62.95 and 65
Copper has two isotopes. 63 Cu has a relative isotopic
mass of 64.95. The relative atomic mass (Ar) of Copper is 63.54. Calculate the percentage
abundance of the two isotopes. Ar = 63.54
Ir % abundance Working Out
63
Cu 62.95 x 63.54 = (62.95x) + (64.95)(100-x)/100
6354 = (62.95x) + (64.95)(100-x)
6354 = 62.95x + 6495 - 64.95x
65
Cu 64.95 100-x 6354 = 6495 - 2x
6354 + 2x = 6495
x= 70.5

Cu is 70.5%
% Abundance of 63
Cu is 29.5%
% Abundance of 65
Relative Molecular mass (Mr) (Also called Relative Formula Mass for Ionic)
The relative molecular mass (covalent) of a compound is the mass of one molecule of that
C atom (which is 12 exactly)
substance relative to the mass of a 12
Oxygen: Carbon dioxide:
Mr (O2 ) = 2 x Ar(O) Mr (CO2 ) = Ar(C) + 2 x Ar(O)
= 2 x 16.0 = 12.0 + 32.0
= 32.0 = 44.0

Avogadros Constant (NA ) equals 6.02 x 1023

A mole is defined as the amount of substance that contains as many particles (ions, atoms or
C isotope.
molecules) as there are atoms in exactly 12g of the 12
Number of particles = (number of moles) x (Avogadro's number)
N = n x NA

Molar mass
The molar mass (M) is defined as the mass of 1mol of an element. The unit is grams per mole
(g/mol or gmol-1 )
M is the same as Ar but it has units. To work out a molar mass, use the Ar from the periodic table
and add units.
m=nxM
n = m/M
M= m/n

Multi-Step Questions
Sometimes you need to combine both equations and perhaps a ratio to answer a question.
N = n x NA Start with a flow chart and use notation
n = m/M

1. Calculate the number of atoms in 11.0 g of Mg

Percentages/Percentage Composition
How would you work out the % by mass of Oxygen in H2O?

How would you work out the % by mass of Oxygen in H2O?

Determine the percentage of Al in Al2O

3

Empirical Formulas
The simplest whole number ratio of atoms or ions in that compound
The EF of water (H2 O) is H2 O
The EF of ethane (C2H 6)
is CH3

Steps in Finding an Empirical Formula

1. Write down symbols of the elements
2. If given %, assume that the mass of the sample is 100g and all percentages become grams
3. Convert masses to moles (n = m/M)
4. Find the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms by dividing by the smallest number
5. If necessary, multiply by a factor to convert all numbers to whole numbers

Naphthalene contains 93.7% carbon and 6.3% hydrogen by mass. Calculate

the empirical formula.
C H

m 93.7 g 6.3 g

n = m/M 93.7/12.0 = 7.81 6.3/1.0 = 6.3

Ratio (divide by smallest number) 7.81/6.3 = 1.24 6.3/6.3 = 1

Whole number ratio 5 4

Therefore the EF is C5H
4

Hydrated Ionic Compounds

= Solving for the number of waters (xH2O)
When 5.00g of hydrated sodium carbonate (Na2CO 3.xH
2O)
was heated, 1.85g of sodium carbonate
remained. Determine the empirical formula.

Na2CO3 H2O

m 1.85 5-1.85 = 3.15

N (=m/M) = 0.00175 = 0.175

Ratio (divide by smallest 1 10

number)

Never do step 5 Must equal 1 Round to a whole

(whole number ratio) number if needed
Therefore the Empirical Formula is Na2CO
3.10H
2O

Molecular Formulas
The actual number of atoms in a molecule of that compound
Will be a multiple of the Empirical Formula
You can work out the molecular formula if you know the empirical formula and molar
mass

Determining Molecular Formulas

A compound has the empirical formula CH2 and the molar mass is 42.0g/mol.
Determine the molecular formula.
EF mass = M(CH2) = 14.0g/mol

(Molar mass)/(EF mass) = 3

Molecular formula = 3 x EF
= 3 x CH2
= C3 H6