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Math in Chemistry: Where do I start? Common Units Used
1. What is the Given Amount? Measurement Unit
2. What is the Unknown Amount? Mass Grams (g)
3. What unit do I start with? Mole Mol
4. What unit do I end with? Particles Atoms
5. Now, determine what “math” to do Molecules
Molar Mass Grams/mole = g/mol
LT 1: Law of Conservation of Mass
The Law of Conservation of Mass states that atoms cannot be destroyed or created during a chemical reaction.
Atoms can only be rearranged into different molecules/substances. This means that the total mass of the Reactants
(left side) is equal to the total mass of the Products (right side).
C3H8 + 5 O2 3CO2 + 4H2O
Mass (g): 44g 160g 132g ?
Since the total mass of the reactants is equal to 204g that means that the total mass of the products will also be
204g. Therefore, 204g minus 132g equals 72g. The mass of H2O will be 72g.
LT 1: Balancing Equations & the Law of Conservation of Mass
Background Information & Why: Chemical reactions can be described by chemical equations. Equation means
equal. On each side of the equal sign, the number and type of atoms are exactly the same.
The Law of Conservation of Mass states that atoms cannot be destroyed or created during a chemical reaction.
Atoms can only be rearranged into different molecules/substances. Therefore, in order to obey The Law of
Conservation of Mass, the number of atoms for each element must be the same in the reactants (left side) as it is in
the products (right side).
In order to balance equations we cannot split or add to existing molecules. We can only change the coefficient. We
cannot change the subscripts, the small numbers, because they determine how many atoms are in a molecule.
Equal number of atoms on
each side = Balanced
Follows Law of Conservation of
Mass
Unequal number of atoms on
each side = Unbalanced
Doesn’t follow Law of
Conservation of Mass
Reaction B does not have the same number of oxygen atoms on each side. It should be drawn like this
Recall, we can only change the coefficients in a chemical equation. Below are the blanks where coefficients can go.
Look at the new atomic representation for Reaction B above and write the correct coefficient in the correct blank.
Steps to Balancing:
1. Take inventory of the total number of each atom on the reactants side and products side
2. Only the coefficients can be changed
3. Multiply the coefficients by the number of each atom it’s in front of.
4. Subscripts only apply to the atom they’re attached to
5. Parenthesis: Subscripts attached to the parenthesis apply only to atoms inside parenthesis.
LT 2: Molar Mass – how many grams are present in 1 mole of any substance
1. Use chemical formula to determine number of each type of atom present in compound.
2. Multiply atomic mass (from the periodic table) of each element by the number of atoms of that element
present in the compound.
3. Add it all together and put units of grams/mole after the number.
LT 2: Mole Conversions – when converting between units of a given
quantity of ONE substance
When converting… Math to do…
Mass Moles Given mass (g) ÷ molar mass
Moles Mass Given Moles X molar mass
Moles Particles Given moles X 6.02 x 1023
Particles Moles Given particles ÷ 6.02 x 1023
LT 3: Stoichiometry – when converting between 2 DIFFERENT substances – NEED MOLE RATIO
Stoichiometry is using balanced chemical equations as a basis to calculate how much What is the Mole Ratio?
reactant is needed or product is formed in a reaction.
#
Mole ratio =
#
Another way of looking at it is using the mole ratio from the balanced equation and
information about one compound in the reaction to determine information about #’s are the Coefficients from the
Balanced Chemical Equation
another compound in the equation. A mole ratio is a conversion factor resulting from
the coefficients of a balanced chemical equation interpreted in terms of moles. In
chemical calculations, mole ratios are used to convert between moles one thing and moles of another.
Equations for Stoichiometry (Where do I start? The step you begin
depends on the unit of the given quantity)
1. Given mass A ÷ molar mass of A = # moles of A
2. #moles of A x mole ratio = # moles of B
3. # moles of B x molar mass of B = Mass (g) of B