In the study of matter, we observe certain phenomena which can be reproduced at will.

These observed phenomena are called scientific facts. Often, a large number of scientific facts can be summarized into broad or sweeping statements called laws.

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MASS

-which states that when an ordinary chemical reaction occurs, there is no detectable change in the masses of the substances involved before and after the reaction.

masses of the reactants = masses of the products before the reaction after the reaction

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MASS

However, Albert Einstein, a Nobel laureate physicist and one of the most creative intellects in human history, recognized the quantitative interconversion of mass and energy in reactions, as shown by his famous equation.

E = mc2
Where: E = energy m = mass c = velocity of light

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MASS

The interconvertibility of mass and energy holds true in energetic processes like radioactivity and atomic explosions. Strictly speaking, the interconversion of energy and mass cannot possibly allow a constancy of one or the other. However, the amount of energy and mass change are too small to be detected in the laboratory. Therefore, we can still count on the law of conservation of mass for practical use.

LAW OF DEFINITE PROPORTION

-states that a pure compound always contains the same elements combined in the same proportions by mass. -when two elements combine to form a given compound, they always do so in a fixed proportion.

LAW OF DEFINITE PROPORTION

To illustrate the law of definite composition, refer to the table
Trial 1 2 3 Mass of C (g) 2.00 15.00 5.00 Mass of O2 (g) 5.34 40.05 13.36 Mass of CO2 (g) 7.34 55.05 18.36

These are the mass data for the amounts of C, O2, and CO2 in the reaction. C + O2 CO2

LAW OF DEFINITE PROPORTION

Trial 1 2 3 Mass of C (g) 2.00 15.00 5.00 Mass of O2 (g) 5.34 40.05 13.36 Mass of CO2 (g) 7.34 55.05 18.36

Find the percentages of carbon and oxygen.

% of C =

x 100

% of O =

x 100

LAW OF DEFINITE PROPORTION

Trial 1 2 3 Mass of C (g) 2.00 15.00 5.00 Mass of O2 (g) 5.34 40.05 13.36 Mass of CO2 (g) 7.34 55.05 18.36

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

2.0 C= x 100 7.34

= 27.2%

15.0 C= x 100 55.05

= 27.2%

5.0 C= x 100 18.36

= 27.2%

5.34 O= x 100 7.34

= 72.8%

40.05 O= x 100 55.05

= 72.8%

13.36 O= x 100 18.36

= 72.8%

LAW OF DEFINITE PROPORTION

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

2.0 C= x 100 7.34

= 27.2%

15.0 C= x 100 55.05

= 27.2%

5.0 C= x 100 18.36

= 27.2%

5.34 O= x 100 7.34

= 72.8%

40.05 O= x 100 55.05

= 72.8%

13.36 O= x 100 18.36

= 72.8%

These show that the percentage of carbon in CO2 which is 27.2% and the percentage of oxygen in CO2 which is 72.8% are definite. The experimental data in the example also verify and confirm the law of conservation of mass.

LAW OF MULTIPLE PROPORTIONS

-this states that when two elements combine to form more than one compound, the masses of one element which combine with a fixed mass of the other element are in a ratio of small whole numbers such as 2:1, 1:1, 2:3, etc.

LAW OF MULTIPLE PROPORTIONS

Sample Exercise: Two different compounds elements C and D were found to have the following compositions: C D First compound 2.276 g 0.792 g Second compound 1.422 g 0.948 g Find the formulas of the two compound.

Solution: Mass may be fixed at C. C First compound 2.276 g/2.276g = 1 Second compound 1.422 g/1.422 g = 1

D 0.792 g/2.276 g = 0.348 0.948 g/1.422 g = 0.667

Therefor, the formulas of the two compounds are: Ratio C D Formula First 1 0.348/0.348 =1 CD compound Second 1 0.667/0.348 = 2 CD2 compound

Practice exercises Find the formula of the compounds having the following composition: X Y First compound 50 g 56 g Second compound 35 g 82 g