3 CHEMICAL FORMULAE

AND EQUATIONS
3.1 Relative Atomic Mass
and Relative Molecular Mass

Relative atomic mass, Ar

1.

The mass of an atom is very small and

therefore difficult to be determined accurately.

Comparing the masses

Comparing the masses

Relative atomic mass, Ar

2. However, we can determine the mass of an
atom relative to a standard atom.

12
H

1
C
Compare H and C
H as the standard
atom

Relative atomic mass, Ar

3. The atomic mass of an atom found by
comparing it with a standard atom, is
called relative atomic mass, or Ar, for
short.
12 times
heavier
relative atomic mass, or Ar of C =
12

Relative atomic mass, Ar

4.(a) Chemists first started using
hydrogen atom as the standard
atom for comparison because
hydrogen is the lightest atom of
all.
H

Relative atomic mass, Ar

4. (b) However, this method had
several weaknesses.
(i) Relative masses of certain
elements cannot be determined
because these elements do not
combine readily with hydrogen or
are unable to displace hydrogen.

Relative atomic mass, Ar

4. (b) However, this method had several
weaknesses.
(ii)
It was found that the relative
masses of some elements were not
accurate.

Relative atomic mass, Ar

4. (b) However, this method had several
weaknesses.
(iii) Since hydrogen exists as a gas at
room temperature, it is difficult to
determine its mass accurately.

Relative atomic mass, Ar

5. (a) Oxygen was then used as a
standard to compare the masses of
atoms.

Relative atomic mass, Ar

(b) However, problems arose when
the existence of three isotopes of
oxygen were discovered.
16

O,

O,

17

18

Chemist used a average

mass.
Physicist used O-16.

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
1. In 1961, the international unions
of chemists and physicists agreed
on a single new standard, the
carbon-12 atom.
C

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
2. Carbon-12 was chosen for a few reasons.
(a) Carbon-12 is used as a reference
standard in the mass spectrometer.

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that

measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions.[1] It is most
generally used to find the composition of a physical sample
by generating a mass spectrum representing the masses of
sample components. The mass spectrum is measured by a
mass spectrometer.

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
2. Carbon-12 was chosen for a few reasons.
(b) Many elements can combine with carbon12.

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
2. Carbon-12 was chosen for a few
reasons.
(c)
Carbon-12 exists as a solid at
room temperature and thus can be
handled easily.

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
2. Carbon-12 was chosen for a few
reasons.
(d) Carbon-12 is the most abundant
carbon isotope, occurring about
98.89%.

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
2. Carbon-12 was chosen for a few
reasons.
(e) The table of relative atomic
masses based on carbon-12 is in
close agreement with the tables
based on oxygen.

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
3. Based on the carbon-12 scale, the relative
atomic mass of an element is the average
1
mass of one atom of the element12when
compared with
of the mass of an atom of
carbon-12. Carbon-12 isotope is assigned a
mass of exactly 12 units.

Relative
atomic
of an the
element
the average
massmass
of oneatomof
element =
1
of the mass of an atomof carbon 12
12

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
4. For example, the average mass of one
nitrogen1atom is 14 times larger than of
the mass
carbon-12 atom.
12 of
Therefore, the relative atomic mass of
nitrogen is 14.

= 14 x

1
12

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
[Relative atomic mass is not the actual
mass of the atom. It is only a
comparison value. Therefore, it has no
unit.]

N = 14

Relative atomic mass based on

carbon-12 scale
5. Until today,
the relative
atomic
masses of
elements are
based on the
carbon-12
scale and
can be found
in the
Periodic Table
of Elements.

Numerical problems involving

relative atomic mass
1. By comparing relative atomic masses,
we can determine the ratio of the
actual masses of atoms.

N
14

Fe
56

Ratio Fe: N?

Numerical problems involving

relative atomic mass

Example 3.1
How many time larger is the mass of a
magnesium atom compared to that of a helium
atom?[Relative atomic mass: He, 4; Mg, 24]

Numerical problems involving

relative atomic mass

Example 3.1
Solution:
Mass of a magnesium atom
Mass of a helium atom

Re lative atomic mass of a magnesium atom

=
Re lative atomic mass of a helium atom

24
=
=6
4

Numerical problems involving

relative atomic mass

Example 3.2
Calculate how many time larger is the mass of
4 carbon atoms compared to that of 3 helium
atoms.[Relative atomic mass: He, 4; C, 12]

Numerical problems involving

relative atomic mass

Example 3.2
Solution:

Mass of 4 carbon atoms

Mass of 3 helium atoms

4 x Ar of carbon

3x Ar of helium
4x12

3x4
= 4 TIMES

Numerical problems involving

relative atomic mass

Example 3.3
How many magnesium atoms have the same
mass as two silver atoms? [Relative atomic
mass: Mg, 24; Ag, 108]

Numerical problems involving

relative atomic mass

Example 3.3 [Relative atomic mass: Mg,

24; Ag, 108]

Solution:
Let the number of magnesium atoms = n

Mass of n magnesium atoms = mass of 2 silver atoms

So, n x Ar of magnesium
n x 24
= 2 x 108
n
=
=9

= 2 x Ar of silver
2x108
24

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

1.The relative molecular mass of a

substance is the average mass of a
1
molecule of the substance when
12
compared with of the mass of an atom
of carbon-12.
the averagemolecular
mass of one moleculeof
tan ce
Relative
massthe
ofsubs
a substance

1
of the mass of an atom of carbon 12
12

1
12

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

2.For example, the relative molecular

mass of water is 18. This means that
the average mass of one molecule of
water is 18 1times larger than
of the
12
mass of a carbon-12
atom.
1

H
O
16

1
12

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

3.The relative molecular mass of a

substance can be calculated by adding
up the relative atomic masses of all the
atoms present in a molecule of the
substance.
1

H
O
16

1 relative atomic mass

= 1+1+16
=18

Relative molecular mass,

Mr
4. For this reason, it is essential to know the
molecular formula of the substance first.

Ammonia, NH3
Carbon dioxide, CO2

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

Example 3.4
Calculate the relative molecular mass of a
carbon dioxide.[Relative atomic mass: C, 12;
O, 16]
Solution:
The molecular formula of carbon dioxide is
CO2.
The relative molecular mass of a carbon
dioxide
=
of carbon + 2 Ar of oxygen
r + 2(16)
=A
12
= 44

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

5. Table 3.1 shows how to calculate the

relative molecular masses of some
substances.
Substance
Molecular formula Relative molecular
mass,Mr
Hydrogen gas
Oxygen gas
Water
Ammonia
Propane
Ethanol

H2
O2
H2 O
NH3
C3H8
C2H5OH

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; C,12; N,14; O,16]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

5. Table 3.1 shows how to calculate the

relative molecular masses of some
substances.
Substance
Molecular formula Relative molecular
Hydrogen gas
Oxygen gas
Water
Ammonia
Propane
Ethanol

H2
O2
H2 O
NH3
C3H8
C2H5OH

mass,Mr
2(1)=2

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; C,12; N,14; O,16]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

5. Table 3.1 shows how to calculate the

relative molecular masses of some
substances.
Substance
Molecular formula Relative molecular
Hydrogen gas
Oxygen gas
Water
Ammonia
Propane
Ethanol

H2
O2
H2 O
NH3
C3H8
C2H5OH

mass,Mr
2(1)=2
2(16)=32

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; C,12; N,14; O,16]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

5. Table 3.1 shows how to calculate the

relative molecular masses of some
substances.
Substance
Molecular formula Relative molecular
Hydrogen gas
Oxygen gas
Water
Ammonia
Propane
Ethanol

H2
O2
H2 O
NH3
C3H8
C2H5OH

mass,Mr
2(1)=2
2(16)=32
2(1)+16=18

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; C,12; N,14; O,16]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

5. Table 3.1 shows how to calculate the

relative molecular masses of some
substances.
Substance
Molecular formula Relative molecular
Hydrogen gas
Oxygen gas
Water
Ammonia
Propane
Ethanol

H2
O2
H2 O
NH3
C3H8
C2H5OH

mass,Mr
2(1)=2
2(16)=32
2(1)+16=18
14+3(1)=17

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; C,12; N,14; O,16]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

5. Table 3.1 shows how to calculate the

relative molecular masses of some
substances.
Substance
Molecular formula Relative molecular
Hydrogen gas
Oxygen gas
Water
Ammonia
Propane
Ethanol

H2
O2
H2 O
NH3
C3H8
C2H5OH

mass,Mr
2(1)=2
2(16)=32
2(1)+16=18
14+3(1)=17
3(12)+8(1)=44

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; C,12; N,14; O,16]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

5. Table 3.1 shows how to calculate the

relative molecular masses of some
substances.
Substance
Molecular formula Relative molecular
Hydrogen gas
Oxygen gas
Water
Ammonia
Propane
Ethanol

H2
O2
H2 O
NH3
C3H8
C2H5OH

mass,Mr
2(1)=2
2(16)=32
2(1)+16=18
14+3(1)=17
3(12)+8(1)=44
2(12)+5(1)+16+1=46

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; C,12; N,14; O,16]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

6. The term `relative molecular mass'

can only be used for substances that are
made up of molecules. For ionic
compounds, the term `relative formula
mass' is used instead.

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

7. For example, sodium chloride is an

ionic compound. It is made up of sodium
ions and chloride ions. Therefore, for
sodium chloride, the term `relative
formula mass' is used.

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

8. Similar to relative molecular mass, the

relative formula mass of an ionic
compound is calculated by adding up the
relative atomic masses of all the atoms
shown in its formula.

Example 5:

Calculate the relative formula

mass of a sodium hydroxide.
[Relative atomic mass: Na, 23; O,
16; H, 1]

Example 5:

Solution:
The formula of sodium hydroxide is NaOH.
The relative formula mass of a sodium
hydroxide
= Ar of Na + A of O + A of H

Example 5:

Solution:
The formula of sodium hydroxide is NaOH.
The relative formula mass of a sodium
hydroxide
= Ar of Na + A of O + Ar of H
= 23 + 16 + 1
= 40

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

9. Table 3.2 shows the calculation of the

relative formula masses of some ionic
compounds.
Substance
Sodium chloride
Potassium oxide
Aluminium
sulphate
Hydrated
copper(II)
sulphate

Molecular
formula
NaCl
K2 O
Al2(SO4)3

Relative formula mass, Mr

23+35.5=58.5

CuSO4.5H2O

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; O,16; Na,23; Al,27; S,32;

Cl,35.5; K,39; Cu,64]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

9. Table 3.2 shows the calculation of the

relative formula masses of some ionic
compounds.
Substance
Sodium chloride
Potassium oxide
Aluminium
sulphate
Hydrated
copper(II)
sulphate

Molecular
formula
NaCl
K2 O
Al2(SO4)3

Relative formula mass, Mr

23+35.5=58.5
2(39)+16=94

CuSO4.5H2O

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; O,16; Na,23; Al,27; S,32;

Cl,35.5; K,39; Cu,64]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

9. Table 3.2 shows the calculation of the

relative formula masses of some ionic
compounds.
Substance
Sodium chloride
Potassium oxide
Aluminium
sulphate
Hydrated
copper(II)
sulphate

Molecular
formula
NaCl
K2 O
Al2(SO4)3

Relative formula mass, Mr

23+35.5=58.5
2(39)+16=94
2(27)+3[32+4(16)]=342

CuSO4.5H2O

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; O,16; Na,23; Al,27; S,32;

Cl,35.5; K,39; Cu,64]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

9. Table 3.2 shows the calculation of the

relative formula masses of some ionic
compounds.
Substance
Sodium chloride
Potassium oxide
Aluminium
sulphate
Hydrated
copper(II)
sulphate

Molecular
formula
NaCl
K2 O
Al2(SO4)3

Relative formula mass, Mr

CuSO4.5H2O

64+32+4(16)+5[2(1)+16]=250

23+35.5=58.5
2(39)+16=94
2(27)+3[32+4(16)]=342

[Relative atomic mass: H,1; O,16; Na,23; Al,27; S,32;

Cl,35.5; K,39; Cu,64]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

10. If we know the relative molecular or

formula mass of a compound, we can find
out the relative atomic mass of any
unknown element in the compound.

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

Example 3.6
The relative formula mass of a compound
with the formula Y3P4 is 205. Calculate the
relative atomic mass of the element Y.
[Relative atomic mass: P, 31]

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

Example 3.6
Solution:
Let the relative atomic mass of the element Y = y

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

Example 3.6
Solution:
Let the relative atomic mass of the element Y = y
Given that the relative formula mass of Y3P4 = 205

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

Example 3.6
Solution:
Let the relative atomic mass of the element Y = y
Given that the relative formula mass of Y3P4 = 205
Therefore, 3y + 4(31)

= 205

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

Example 3.6
Solution:
Let the relative atomic mass of the element Y = y
Given that the relative formula mass of Y3P4 = 205
Therefore, 3y + 4(31)
3y + 124

= 205
= 205

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

Example 3.6
Solution:
Let the relative atomic mass of the element Y = y
Given that the relative formula mass of Y3P4 = 205
Therefore, 3y + 4(31)
3y + 124
y

= 205
= 205
= 205 124

= 27

Relative molecular mass,

Mr

Example 3.6
Solution:
Let the relative atomic mass of the element Y = y
Given that the relative formula mass of Y3P4 = 205
Therefore, 3y + 4(31)
3y + 124
y

= 205
= 205
= 205 124

= 27

So, the relative atomic mass of element Y is 27.