1.

2 Formulas
Syllabus Statements:
1.2.1 Define the terms relative atomic mass (A
r
) and relative molecular mass
1.2.2 Calculate the mass of one mole of a species from its formula
1.2.3 Solve problems involving the relationship between the amount of substance in moles, mass
and molar mass
1.2.4 Distinguish between the terms empirical formula and molecular formula
1.2.5 Determine the empirical formula from the percentage composition or from other experimental
data
1.2.6 Determine the molecular formula when given both the empirical formula and experimental
data

Relative Atomic Mass (A
r
) Basically the exact same thing as the molar mass but taking into account
the abundances of isotopes rather than just one atom of the element
Relative Molecular Mass (M
r
) Molar mass (Eg: Relative molecular mass of Carbon is 12.01gmol
-1
)
Empirical Formula Simplest ratio of the elements (eg: Empirical formula of H
4
O
2
is H
2
O)
Molecular Formula - The number and type of atoms that are present in a single molecule of a
substance











1.2.1 Define the terms relative atomic mass (Ar) and relative molecular mass
See cover page definitions
1.2.2 Calculate the mass of one mole of a species from its formula
Moles = Mass (g)
Molar mass (gmol
-1
)

Mass (g) = moles x molar mass (gmol
-1
)

1.2.3 Solve problems involving the relationship between the amount of substance in moles, mass
and molar mass

The formula in objective 1.2.2 can be rearranged to solve for molar mass, mass and moles if the
other 2 pieces of information are known












1.2.4 Distinguish between the terms empirical formula and molecular formula
See cover page definitions
1.2.5 Determine the empirical formula from the percentage composition or from other
experimental data
Easier to express through examples



Example 1: Calculate the amount of moles in 36.03 grams of Carbon
Moles = mass / molar mass
Moles = 36.03 / 12.01
Moles = 3
Example 2: 4 moles of a substance weigh 107.92 grams. What is the substance?
Molar mass =mass / moles
Molar mass = 107.92 / 4
Molar mass = 26.98 gmol
-1
Therefore, the substance is Aluminium
Example 1: If 56g of Fe reacts with 32g of S, what is the empirical formula of the product?
Fe = 56 / 56 = 1: S = 32 /32 = 1
1:1
FeS is the empirical formula















1.2.6 Determine the molecular formula when given both the empirical formula and experimental
data
Easier to express through example











Example 2: A compound is made up of 51% Hydrogen and 49% Bromine. What is the empirical formula?
H = 51/ 1.008 = 50.6
Br = 49 / 79.9 = 0.6
50.6: 0.6 = 253: 3
H
253
Br
3
is the empirical formula
*Note that this compound it not stable nor real as such and it is used merely for example purposes
Example 3: A hydrocarbon is combusted in excess oxygen producing 11g of CO
2
and 9g of water. What
is the empirical formula of the compound?
C
x
H
y

+
O
2
CO
2
+ H
2
O
C
x
H
y
+ O
2
xCO
2
+ (y/2) H2O
CO
2
= 11g / 44g = 0.25
H
2
O = 9g / 18g = 0.5
C
0.25
H
1
= CH
4
Empirical formula is CH
4
Example 1: A hydrocarbon is composed of 85.72% carbon and a molecular mass of 280g/mol. Identify
the formula of the hydrocarbon
C (85.72/12.01) = 7.14
H (14.28/1.008) = 14.28
7.14/7.14 = 1
14.28 / 7.14 = 2
C
1
H
2
empirical formula
Weight of empirical formula = 14g
280g / 14g =20
20 x CH
2
= molecular formula
Molecular Formula is C
20
H
40