Unit 3: Composition of Substances & Solutions
The Mole
Identity of a Substance
Defined not only by composition but also by the quantity of each type of atom or ion.
Example: Water (H2O) vs. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)
Composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
Water has 1 oxygen atom, whereas hydrogen peroxide has 2, leading to different properties.
Measurement Tools
Modern instruments directly measure microscopic traits.
Traditionally, macroscopic properties (mass and volume) were measured using simple tools (balances and volumetric glassware).
The Mole
New unit for amount of substance necessary for chemical measurements.
Similar to other units (pair, dozen, gross).
Defined as the amount of substance containing the same number of entities as the number of atoms in 12 g of pure 12C.
One Latin connotation of "mole" is "large mass" or "bulk".
Links macroscopic features (mass) with microscopic properties (number of atoms/molecules).
Stoichiometry
Refers to ratios of substances in a chemical reaction.
Stoichiometric coefficients represent the ratio in which molecules react or the number of moles that react.
Mole allows conversion between atomic mass units and grams:
1 mole contains discrete entities (Avogadro's number, ).
Avogadro's Number
Defined as (approximately).
Each mole of any element contains the same number of atoms.
Molar mass defined as the mass in grams of 1 mole of a substance, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol).
Comparison of Atomic Mass and Molar Mass
While atomic mass (amu) and molar mass (g/mol) are numerically equivalent, they differ in scale:
Example: 1 mole of 12C weighs 12 g, atomic mass = 12 amu.
A small drop of water (0.03 g) contains more molecules than can be imagined, despite being only a fraction of 1 mole (~18 g).
Empirical Formula Determination
Relative numbers, not masses, of atoms in a compound.
Requires conversion of experimentally measured masses to moles.
Ratios derived yield the compound's empirical formula.
Deriving the Number of Atoms and Molecules From Mass
Application of Formula Mass, Mole, and Avogadro's Number
In calculating the number of moles from a substance's mass, we can derive the number of atoms or molecules.
Example Problem
Given: 40.0 mg of saccharin (C7H5NO3S).
Molar mass = 183.18 g/mol.
To find number of saccharin molecules:
Convert mass to grams: 0.0400 g (40.0 mg).
Calculate number of moles:
Result: Number of moles derived, then multiply by Avogadro's number to find molecules.
Determining Empirical Formulas From Masses of Elements
Determination Method
Measure the masses of constituent elements from which a compound is formed.
Convert these masses to number of moles.
Calculate whole-number ratios for empirical formula.
Example Calculation
For a given compound with:
1.71 g C, 0.287 g H.
Convert to moles:
Yield ratios yielding unrounded formula, then adjust to whole number.
Final empirical formula obtained (CH2).
Another Example
Given masses of Cl and O in a compound determined:
5.31 g Cl and 8.40 g O.
Calculate tentative empirical formula.
Normalize subscripts to resolve decimal values by multiplication.
Final empirical formula (Cl2O7).
Moles and Volumes from Molar Concentrations
Molarity Definition
Molarity is defined as moles of solute divided by liters of solution.
Rearrangement for moles of solute yields:
Example Problem
How much sugar in 10 mL of soft drink containing 0.133 mol of sucrose?
Calculate molarity:
Then use relation to find amount.
Determine amount in moles from 10 mL.
Dilution of Solutions
Concept of Dilution
Dilution decreases concentration through addition of solvent.
Example: Iced tea diluted as ice melts.
Mathematical Relationship
The equation relating before and after dilution:
Mass Percentage
Definition
Mass percentage is ratio of component mass to total solution mass, expressed as a percentage.
Alternate terms: percent mass, weight percent, etc.
Example
Liquid bleach with 7.4% sodium hypochlorite:
In 100.0 g of bleach, correspondingly 7.4 g of NaClO.
Parts per Million (ppm) and Parts per Billion (ppb)
Definition
Used to express low concentrations, defined in mass, volume, or both.
Mass-based definitions are typical for pollutants in environmental science.
Example
Maximum safe level of fluoride in drinking water is 4 ppm
Formula Mass
Concept
Formula mass is the sum of average atomic masses as per a chemical formula,
Expressed typically in atomic mass units (amu).
Chemical Identity
Chemical identity relies on the types and relative numbers of atoms present.
Percent composition aids in determining empirical formula and eventually the molecular formula.
Conclusion
Mole as a Unit
Fundamental for discussing concentrations and conversions in chemical science.
Crucial for all measurements involving atomic-level quantities in a macroscopic context.