Mass Relationships in

Chemical Reactions
Chapter 3

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
 Outline
• Average atomic mass
• Mass-mole-units relationship
• Percent of elements in compounds
• Finding Empirical formula
• Chemical equation
• Concept of Limiting reagent
• Theoretical, actual and % yield

All Sections are required

2
 Micro World Macro World
atoms & molecules grams

Atomic mass is the mass of an atom in

atomic mass units (amu)

By definition:
1 atom 12C “weighs” 12 amu

On this scale
1
H = 1.008 amu
16
O = 16.00 amu 3
The average atomic mass is the weighted
average of all of the naturally occurring
isotopes of the element.

4
Example 3.1
Copper, a metal known since ancient
times, is used in electrical cables and
pennies, among other things.

The atomic masses of its two stable

isotopes, (69.09 percent) and
(30.91 percent), are 62.93 amu and
64.9278 amu, respectively.

Calculate the average atomic mass of

copper. The relative abundances are
given in parentheses.
Average atomic mass (63.55)

6
The Mole (mol): A unit to count numbers of particles

Dozen = 12

Pair = 2

The mole (mol) is the amount of a substance that

contains as many elementary entities as there
are atoms in exactly 12.00 grams of 12C
1 mol = NA = 6.0221415 x 1023
Avogadro’s number (NA) 7
 eggs
Molar mass is the mass of 1 mole of shoes in grams
marbles
atoms
1 mole 12C atoms = 6.022 x 1023 atoms = 12.00 g
1 12C atom = 12.00 amu

1 mole 12C atoms = 12.00 g 12C

1 mole lithium atoms = 6.941 g of Li

For any element

atomic mass (amu) = molar mass (grams)
8
 One Mole of:

C S

Hg

Cu Fe
9
1 12C atom 12.00 g 1.66 x 10-24 g
x =
12.00 amu 6.022 x 10 23 12
C atoms 1 amu

1 amu = 1.66 x 10-24 g or 1 g = 6.022 x 1023 amu

M = molar mass in g/mol

NA = Avogadro’s number 10
Example 3.2
Helium (He) is a valuable
gas used in industry, low-
temperature research,
deep-sea diving tanks, and
balloons.

How many moles of He

atoms are in 6.46 g of He?

A scientific research helium balloon.

Example 3.3

Zinc (Zn) is a silvery metal

that is used in making brass
(with copper) and in plating
iron to prevent corrosion.

How many grams of Zn are

in 0.356 mole of Zn?

Zinc
Example 3.4
Sulfur (S) is a nonmetallic
element that is present in coal.

When coal is burned, sulfur is

converted to sulfur dioxide and
eventually to sulfuric acid that
gives rise to the acid rain
phenomenon.

How many atoms are in 16.3 g

of S?

Elemental sulfur (S8)

consists of eight S
atoms joined in a ring.
Example
Molecular mass (or molecular weight) is the sum of
the atomic masses (in amu) in a molecule.

1S 32.07 amu
2O + 2 x 16.00 amu
SO2 64.07 amu
SO2
For any molecule
molecular mass (amu) = molar mass (grams)

1 molecule SO2 = 64.07 amu

1 mole SO2 = 64.07 g SO2
14
Example 3.5
Calculate the molecular
masses (in amu) of the
following compounds:

(a)sulfur dioxide (SO2), a gas

that is responsible for acid rain

(b)caffeine (C8H10N4O2), a
stimulant present in tea,
coffee, and cola beverages
Example 3.6
Methane (CH4) is the
principal component of
natural gas.

How many moles of CH4

are present in 6.07 g of
CH4?
Molecular mass (or molecular weight) is the sum of
the atomic masses (in amu) in a molecule.

1S 32.07 amu
2O + 2 x 16.00 amu
SO2 64.07 amu
SO2
For any molecule
molecular mass (amu) = molar mass (grams)

1 molecule SO2 = 64.07 amu

1 mole SO2 = 64.07 g SO2 17
Example 3.7
How many hydrogen atoms
are present in 25.6 g of
urea [(NH2)2CO], which is
used as a fertilizer, in
animal feed, and in the
manufacture of polymers?

The molar mass of urea is

60.06 g.

urea
Formula mass is the sum of the atomic masses
(in amu) in a formula unit of an ionic compound.

1Na 22.99 amu

NaCl 1Cl + 35.45 amu
NaCl 58.44 amu

For any ionic compound

formula mass (amu) = molar mass (grams)

1 formula unit NaCl = 58.44 amu

1 mole NaCl = 58.44 g NaCl 19
Mass Spectrometer

Heavy
Light
Light

Heavy
Mass Spectrum of Ne

20
Percent composition of an element in a compound =
n x molar mass of element
x 100%
molar mass of compound
n is the number of moles of the element in 1 mole
of the compound
2 x (12.01 g)
%C = x 100% = 52.14%
46.07 g
6 x (1.008 g)
%H = x 100% = 13.13%
46.07 g
1 x (16.00 g)
%O = x 100% = 34.73%
46.07 g

C2H6O 52.14% + 13.13% + 34.73% = 100.0%

21
Example 3.8

Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is a

colorless, syrupy liquid used in
detergents, fertilizers,
toothpastes, and in carbonated
beverages for a “tangy” flavor.

Calculate the percent

composition by mass of H, P,
and O in this compound.
Percent Composition and Empirical Formulas

23
Example 3.9
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
cures scurvy.

It is composed of 40.92
percent carbon (C), 4.58
percent hydrogen (H), and
54.50 percent oxygen (O)
by mass.

Determine its empirical

formula.
Example 3.9
This can be done by a trial-and-error procedure:
1.33 × 1 = 1.33
1.33 × 2 = 2.66
1.33 × 3 = 3.99 < 4
Because 1.33 × 3 gives us an integer (4), we multiply all the
subscripts by 3 and obtain C3H4O3 as the empirical formula for
ascorbic acid.

Check
Are the subscripts in C3H4O3 reduced to the smallest whole
numbers?
Example 3.10

Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2)
is a principal mineral
of copper.

Calculate the number

of kilograms of Cu in
3.71 × 103 kg of
chalcopyrite.

Chalcopyrite.
Example 3.10
Strategy Chalcopyrite is composed of Cu, Fe, and S. The
mass due to Cu is based on its percentage by mass in the
compound.

How do we calculate mass percent of an element?

Solution The molar masses of Cu and CuFeS2 are 63.55 g

and 183.5 g, respectively. The mass percent of Cu is therefore
Example 3.10
To calculate the mass of Cu in a 3.71 × 103 kg sample of
CuFeS2, we need to convert the percentage to a fraction (that
is, convert 34.63 percent to 34.63/100, or 0.3463) and write

mass of Cu in CuFeS2 = 0.3463 × (3.71 × 103 kg)

= 1.28 × 103 kg

Check
As a ball-park estimate, note that the mass percent of Cu is
roughly 33 percent, so that a third of the mass should be Cu;

that is, × 3.71 × 103 kg 1.24 × 103 kg.

This quantity is quite close to the answer.

Combust 11.5 g ethanol
Collect 22.0 g CO2 and 13.5 g H2O

g CO2 mol CO2 mol C gC 6.0 g C = 0.5 mol C

g H2O mol H2O mol H gH 1.5 g H = 1.5 mol H

g of O = g of sample – (g of C + g of H) 4.0 g O = 0.25 mol O

Empirical formula C0.5H1.5O0.25

Divide by smallest subscript (0.25)
Empirical formula C2H6O 29
Example 3.11

A sample of a compound contains 30.46 percent nitrogen and

69.54 percent oxygen by mass, as determined by a mass
spectrometer.

In a separate experiment, the molar mass of the compound is

found to be between 90 g and 95 g.

Determine the molecular formula and the accurate molar mass

of the compound.
Example 3.11
Strategy
To determine the molecular formula, we first need to determine
the empirical formula. Comparing the empirical molar mass to
the experimentally determined molar mass will reveal the
relationship between the empirical formula and molecular
formula.

Solution
We start by assuming that there are 100 g of the compound.
Then each percentage can be converted directly to grams; that
is, 30.46 g of N and 69.54 g of O.
Example 3.11
Let n represent the number of moles of each element so that

Thus, we arrive at the formula N2.174O4.346, which gives the

identity and the ratios of atoms present. However, chemical
formulas are written with whole numbers.

Try to convert to whole numbers by dividing the subscripts by

the smaller subscript (2.174). After rounding off, we obtain NO2
as the empirical formula.
Example 3.11
The molecular formula might be the same as the empirical
formula or some integral multiple of it (for example, two, three,
four, or more times the empirical formula).

Comparing the ratio of the molar mass to the molar mass of the
empirical formula will show the integral relationship between the
empirical and molecular formulas.

The molar mass of the empirical formula NO2 is

empirical molar mass = 14.01 g + 2(16.00 g) = 46.01 g

Example 3.11
Next, we determine the ratio between the molar mass and the
empirical molar mass

The molar mass is twice the empirical molar mass. This means
that there are two NO2 units in each molecule of the compound,
and the molecular formula is (NO2)2 or N2O4. The actual molar
mass of the compound is two times the empirical molar mass,
that is, 2(46.01 g) or 92.02 g, which is between 90 g and 95 g.
Example 3.11
Check Note that in determining the molecular formula from the
empirical formula, we need only know the approximate molar
mass of the compound. The reason is that the true molar mass
is an integral multiple (1×, 2×, 3×, . . .) of the empirical molar
mass. Therefore, the ratio (molar mass/empirical molar mass)
will always be close to an integer.
A process in which one or more substances is changed into one
or more new substances is a chemical reaction.
A chemical equation uses chemical symbols to show what
happens during a chemical reaction:
reactants products
3 ways of representing the reaction of H 2 with O2 to form H2O

36
 How to “Read” Chemical Equations

2 Mg + O2 2 MgO

2 atoms Mg + 1 molecule O2 makes 2 formula units MgO

2 moles Mg + 1 mole O2 makes 2 moles MgO
48.6 grams Mg + 32.0 grams O2 makes 80.6 g MgO

NOT
2 grams Mg + 1 gram O2 makes 2 g MgO

37
 Balancing Chemical Equations

1. Write the correct formula(s) for the reactants on

the left side and the correct formula(s) for the
product(s) on the right side of the equation.
Ethane reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water
C2H6 + O2 CO2 + H2O

2. Change the numbers in front of the formulas

(coefficients) to make the number of atoms of
each element the same on both sides of the
equation. Do not change the subscripts.
2C2H6 NOT C4H12
38
 Balancing Chemical Equations

3. Start by balancing those elements that appear in

only one reactant and one product.
C2H6 + O2 CO2 + H2O start with C or H but not O

2 carbon 1 carbon multiply CO2 by 2

on left on right
C2H6 + O2 2CO2 + H2O

6 hydrogen 2 hydrogen
multiply H2O by 3
on left on right
C2H6 + O2 2CO2 + 3H2O 39
 Balancing Chemical Equations

4. Balance those elements that appear in two or

more reactants or products.
C2H6 + O2 2CO2 + 3H2O multiply O2 by 7
2

2 oxygen 4 oxygen + 3 oxygen = 7 oxygen

on left (2x2) (3x1) on right

C2H6 + 7 O2 remove fraction

2CO2 + 3H2O
2 multiply both sides by 2
2C2H6 + 7O2 4CO2 + 6H2O

40
 Balancing Chemical Equations

5. Check to make sure that you have the same

number of each type of atom on both sides of the
equation.
2C2H6 + 7O2 4CO2 + 6H2O
4 C (2 x 2) 4C
12 H (2 x 6) 12 H (6 x 2)
14 O (7 x 2) 14 O (4 x 2 + 6)
Reactants Products
4C 4C
12 H 12 H
14 O 14 O
41
Example 3.12
When aluminum metal is exposed
to air, a protective layer of
aluminum oxide (Al2O3) forms on its
surface. This layer prevents further
reaction between aluminum and
oxygen, and it is the reason that
aluminum beverage cans do not
corrode. [In the case of iron, the
rust, or iron(III) oxide, that forms is
too porous to protect the iron metal An atomic scale image
underneath, so rusting continues.] of aluminum oxide.

Write a balanced equation for the

formation of Al2O3.
Example 3.12
Strategy Remember that the formula of an element or
compound cannot be changed when balancing a chemical
equation. The equation is balanced by placing the appropriate
coefficients in front of the formulas. Follow the procedure
described on p. 92.

Solution The unbalanced equation is

In a balanced equation, the number and types of atoms on each

side of the equation must be the same. We see that there is
one Al atom on the reactants side and there are two Al atoms
on the product side.
Example 3.12
We can balance the Al atoms by placing a coefficient of 2 in
front of Al on the reactants side.

There are two O atoms on the reactants side, and three O

atoms on the product side of the equation. We can balance the
O atoms by placing a coefficient of in front of O2 on the
reactants side.

This is a balanced equation. However, equations are normally

balanced with the smallest set of whole-number coefficients.
Example 3.12
Multiplying both sides of the equation by 2 gives whole-number
coefficients.

or

Check For an equation to be balanced, the number and types

of atoms on each side of the equation must be the same. The
final tally is

The equation is balanced. Also, the coefficients are reduced to

the simplest set of whole numbers.
 Amounts of Reactants and Products

1. Write balanced chemical equation

2. Convert quantities of known substances into moles
3. Use coefficients in balanced equation to calculate the
number of moles of the sought quantity
46
4. Convert moles of sought quantity into desired units
Example 3.13
The food we eat is degraded, or
broken down, in our bodies to
provide energy for growth and
function. A general overall
equation for this very complex
process represents the
degradation of glucose (C6H12O6)
to carbon dioxide (CO2) and
water (H2O):

If 856 g of C6H12O6 is consumed

by a person over a certain period,
what is the mass of CO2
produced?
Example 3.13

Strategy
Looking at the balanced equation, how do we compare the
amounts of C6H12O6 and CO2?

We can compare them based on the mole ratio from the

balanced equation. Starting with grams of C6H12O6, how do we
convert to moles of C6H12O6?

Once moles of CO2 are determined using the mole ratio from
the balanced equation, how do we convert to grams of CO2?
Example 3.13
Solution We follow the preceding steps and Figure 3.8.

Step 1: The balanced equation is given in the problem.

Step 2: To convert grams of C6H12O6 to moles of C6H12O6, we
write

Step 3: From the mole ratio, we see that

1 mol C6H12O6 ≏6 mol CO .

2

Therefore, the number of moles of CO2 formed is

Example 3.13
Step 4: Finally, the number of grams of CO2 formed is given by

After some practice, we can combine the conversion steps

into one equation:

Example 3.13
Check Does the answer seem reasonable?

Should the mass of CO2 produced be larger than the mass of

C6H12O6 reacted, even though the molar mass of CO2 is
considerably less than the molar mass of C6H12O6?

What is the mole ratio between CO2 and C6H12O6?

Example 3.14

All alkali metals react with water to

produce hydrogen gas and the
corresponding alkali metal hydroxide.

A typical reaction is that between

lithium and water:

How many grams of Li are needed to

Lithium reacting with
produce 9.89 g of H2?
water to produce
hydrogen gas.
Example 3.14
Strategy The question asks for number of grams of reactant
(Li) to form a specific amount of product (H2). Therefore, we
need to reverse the steps shown in Figure 3.8. From the
equation we see that 2 mol Li 1 mol H2.
Example 3.14
Solution The conversion steps are

Combining these steps into one equation, we write

Check There are roughly 5 moles of H2 in 9.89 g H2, so we

need 10 moles of Li. From the approximate molar mass of
Li (7 g), does the answer seem reasonable?
Limiting Reagent:
Reactant used up first in
the reaction.

2NO + O2 2NO2

NO is the limiting reagent

O2 is the excess reagent

55
Example 3.15

Urea [(NH2)2CO] is prepared by reacting ammonia with carbon

dioxide:

In one process, 637.2 g of NH3 are treated with 1142 g of CO2.

(a) Which of the two reactants is the limiting reagent?

(b) Calculate the mass of (NH2)2CO formed.

(c) How much excess reagent (in grams) is left at the end of the
reaction?
Example 3.15
(a) Strategy The reactant that produces fewer moles of product
is the limiting reagent because it limits the amount of
product that can be formed.

How do we convert from the amount of reactant to amount

of product?

Perform this calculation for each reactant, then compare the

moles of product, (NH2)2CO, formed by the given amounts of
NH3 and CO2 to determine which reactant is the limiting
reagent.
Example 3.15
Solution We carry out two separate calculations. First, starting
with 637.2 g of NH3, we calculate the number of moles of
(NH2)2CO that could be produced if all the NH3 reacted
according to the following conversions:

Combining these conversions in one step, we write

Example 3.15
Second, for 1142 g of CO2, the conversions are

The number of moles of (NH2)2CO that could be produced if all

the CO2 reacted is

It follows, therefore, that NH3 must be the limiting reagent

because it produces a smaller amount of (NH2)2CO.
Example 3.15
(b) Strategy We determined the moles of (NH2)2CO produced in
part (a), using NH3 as the limiting reagent. How do we convert
from moles to grams?

Solution The molar mass of (NH2)2CO is 60.06 g. We use this

as a conversion factor to convert from moles of (NH 2)2CO to
grams of (NH2)2CO:

Check Does your answer seem reasonable? 18.71 moles of

product are formed. What is the mass of 1 mole of (NH 2)2CO?
Example 3.15
(c) Strategy Working backward, we can determine the amount
of CO2 that reacted to produce 18.71 moles of (NH2)2CO. The
amount of CO2 left over is the difference between the initial
amount and the amount reacted.

Solution Starting with 18.71 moles of (NH2)2CO, we can

determine the mass of CO2 that reacted using the mole ratio
from the balanced equation and the molar mass of CO2. The
conversion steps are
Example 3.15
Combining these conversions in one step, we write

The amount of CO2 remaining (in excess) is the difference

between the initial amount (1142 g) and the amount reacted
(823.4 g):

mass of CO2 remaining = 1142 g − 823.4 g = 319 g

Example 3.16
The reaction between alcohols and halogen compounds to form
ethers is important in organic chemistry, as illustrated here for the
reaction between methanol (CH3OH) and methyl bromide
(CH3Br) to form dimethylether (CH3OCH3), which is a useful
precursor to other organic compounds and an aerosol propellant.

This reaction is carried out in a dry (water-free) organic solvent,

and the butyl lithium (LiC4H9) serves to remove a hydrogen ion
from CH3OH. Butyl lithium will also react with any residual water
in the solvent, so the reaction is typically carried out with 2.5
molar equivalents of that reagent. How many grams of CH3Br
and LiC4H9 will be needed to carry out the preceding reaction
with 10.0 g of CH3OH?
Example 3.16
Solution We start with the knowledge that CH3OH and CH3Br
are present in stoichiometric amounts and that LiC4H9 is the
excess reagent. To calculate the quantities of CH3Br and
LiC4H9 needed, we proceed as shown in Example 3.14.
 Reaction Yield

Theoretical Yield is the amount of product that would

result if all the limiting reagent reacted.

Actual Yield is the amount of product actually obtained

from a reaction.

Actual Yield
% Yield = x 100%
Theoretical Yield

65
Example 3.17
Titanium is a strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal that
is used in rockets, aircraft, jet engines, and bicycle frames. It is
prepared by the reaction of titanium(IV) chloride with molten
magnesium between 950°C and 1150°C:

In a certain industrial operation 3.54 × 107 g of TiCl4 are reacted

with 1.13 × 107 g of Mg.

•Calculate the theoretical yield of Ti in grams.

•Calculate the percent yield if 7.91 × 106 g of Ti are actually
obtained.
Example 3.17
(a) Strategy

Because there are two reactants, this is likely to be a limiting

reagent problem. The reactant that produces fewer moles
of product is the limiting reagent.

How do we convert from amount of reactant to amount of

product?

Perform this calculation for each reactant, then compare the

moles of product, Ti, formed.
Example 3.17
Solution
Carry out two separate calculations to see which of the two
reactants is the limiting reagent. First, starting with 3.54 × 107
g of TiCl4, calculate the number of moles of Ti that could be
produced if all the TiCl4 reacted. The conversions are

so that
Example 3.17
Next, we calculate the number of moles of Ti formed from
1.13 × 107 g of Mg. The conversion steps are

And we write

Therefore, TiCl4 is the limiting reagent because it produces a

smaller amount of Ti.
Example 3.17

The mass of Ti formed is

(b) Strategy The mass of Ti determined in part (a) is the

theoretical yield. The amount given in part (b) is the actual yield
of the reaction.
Example 3.17

Solution The percent yield is given by

Check Should the percent yield be less than 100 percent?