7 Quantitative Composition of

Compounds

Black pearls are composed of calcium carbonate, CaCO3.

The pearls can be measured by either weighing or counting.
Foundations of College Chemistry, 15th Ed.
Morris Hein, Susan Arena, and Cary Willard

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning Objectives

7.1 The Mole

Apply the concept of the mole, molar mass,
and Avogadro’s number to solve chemistry problems.

7.2 Molar Mass of Compounds

Calculate the molar mass of a compound.

7.3 Percent Composition of Compounds

Calculate the percent composition of a compound from

its chemical composition and from experimental data.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
7.1 The Mole

Individual atoms are tiny and have such a small mass,

more convenient units for atoms are needed to be
useful on the macroscale.

Analogy
Fruit in a supermarket is “counted” by weighing
the mass of fruit.

If the average mass for a piece of fruit is known,

the number of pieces of fruit can be calculated.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Units of Measurement

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 The Mole
The standard unit of measurement for chemistry.
1 mole = 6.022 x 1023 objects
The number represented by 1 mole, 6.022 x 1023,
is also called Avogadro’s number.
Such a large number is useful because even the smallest
amount of matter contains extremely large numbers of atoms.
The mole is similar to other common units of counting.
Example
1 dozen = 12 objects

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 The Mole

Moles can be used to describe elements, particles

or compounds.
Mole is often abbreviated as mol.
1 mol of atoms = 6.022 x 1023 atoms
1 mol of molecules = 6.022 x 1023 molecules
1 mol of electrons = 6.022 x 1023 electrons

Avogadro’s number can be used as a conversion factor.

1 mol 6.022 x 1023 objects
6.022 x 1023 objects 1 mol

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 7.2 Molar Mass

Molar Mass: the atomic mass of an element or compound

(in grams) which contains Avogadro’s number of particles.

Molar masses are expressed to 4 significant figures in the text.

Determining Molar Mass

Convert atomic mass units on the periodic table to grams

and sum the masses of the total atoms present.

Example CaF2
Molar Mass CaF2 = 40.08 g + 2(19.00) g = 78.08 g
Ca 2F
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 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
We can use both the mol and molar mass as
conversion factors.
How many moles of lead does 15.0 g of Pb represent?

Solution Map g Pb mol Pb

The conversion factor relates g of Pb to moles of Pb.

1 mol Pb 207.2 g Pb
or
207.2 g Pb 1 mol Pb
(Obtain molar mass from the periodic table.)
Calculate
1 mol Pb
15.0 g Pb × = 7.24 x 10-2 mol Pb
207.2 g Pb
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 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
How many moles of mercury does 23.0 g of Hg represent?

a. 4.62 x 103 mol Hg

b. 1.15 x 10-1 mol Hg
c. 1.15 x 101 mol Hg
d. 4.62 x 10-3 mol Hg

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
How many moles of mercury does 23.0 g of Hg represent?
Solution Map
g Hg mol Hg

The conversion factor needed:

1 mol Hg 200.6 g Hg
or
200.6 g Hg 1 mol Hg
Calculate
1 mol Hg
23.0 g Hg × = 1.15 x 10-1 mol Hg or b.
200.6 g Hg
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 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
How many Au atoms are contained in 16.0 g of Au?
Solution Map g Au mol Au atoms Au

Two conversion factors are needed:

1 mol Au 1 mol Au
and
197.0 g Au 6.022 x 1023 atoms Au
Calculate
1 mol Au × 6.022 x 1023 atoms Au
16.0 g Au ×
197.0 g Au 1 mol Au
= 4.89 x 1022 atoms Au
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 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
How many Ti atoms are contained in 7.80 g of Ti?
a. 2.71 x 10-25 atoms Ti
b. 2.25 x 1026 atoms Ti
c. 9.81 x 1022 atoms Ti
d. 6.20 x 10-22 atoms Ti

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
How many Ti atoms are contained in 7.80 g of Ti?
Solution Map
g Ti mol Ti atoms Ti

Two conversion factors are needed:

1 mol Ti 1 mol Ti
and
47.87 g Ti 6.022 x 1023 atoms Ti
Calculate
1 mol Ti 6.022 x 1023 atoms Ti
7.80 g Ti × ×
47.87 g Ti 1 mol Ti
= 9.81 x 1022 atoms Ti or c.
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
What is the mass of 2.13 x 1018 atoms of Li?

Solution Map atoms Li mol Li grams Li

Two conversion factors are needed:

1 mol Li 1 mol Li
and
6.941 g Li 6.022 x 1023 atoms Li

Calculate
1 mol Li 6.941 g Li
2.13 x 1018 atoms Li × ×
6.022 x 1023 atoms Li 1 mol Li
= 2.46 x 10-5 g Li
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 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
What is the mass of 1.28 x 108 atoms of Ne?
a. 4.29 x 10-15 g Ne
b. 5.35 x 1032 g Ne
c. 3.06 x 10-17 g Ne
d. 1.11 x 1031 g Ne

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
What is the mass of 1.28 x 108 atoms of Ne?
Solution Map
atoms Ne mol Ne grams Ne

Two conversion factors are needed:

1 mol Ne 1 mol Ne
and
20.18 g Ne 6.022 x 1023 atoms Ne
Calculate
1 mol Ne
1.28 x 108 atoms Ne × × 20.18 g Ne
6.022 x 1023 atoms Ne 1 mol Ne
= 4.29 x 10-15 g Ne or a.
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
What is the mass of 1.05 mol of Ag?

Solution Map mol Ag grams Ag

One conversion factor is needed:

1 mol Ag
107.9 g Ag
Calculate

107.9 g Ag
1.05 mol Ag × = 113. g Ag
1 mol Ag

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
What is the mass of 8.21 mol of K?
a. 321. g K
b. 2.10 x 10-2 g K
c. 113. g K
d. 1.11 x 1012 g K

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
What is the mass of 8.21 mol of K?
Solution Map
mol K grams K

One conversion factor is needed:

1 mol K
39.10 g K
Calculate
39.10 g K
8.21 mol K × = 321. g K or a.
1 mol K
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
How many hydrogen atoms are in
1.00 moles of H2 molecules?
Solution Map mol H2 molecules H2 atoms H2

Two conversion factors are needed:

1 mol H2 1 molecule H2
and
6.022 x 1023 molecules H2 2 atoms H

Calculate
× 6.022 x 10 molecules H2 × 2 atoms H
23
1.00 mol H2
1 mol H2 1 molecule H2
= 1.20 x 1024 atoms H2
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
How many sulfur atoms are in 2.27 mol of S8 molecules?

a. 1.33 x 10-23 atoms S8

b. 7.53 x 1022 atoms S8

c. 4.82 x 1024 atoms S8

d. 2.08 x 10-25 atoms S8

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Using the Mole and
Molar Mass Concepts
How many sulfur atoms are in 2.27 mol of S8 molecules?
Solution Map
mol S8 molecules S8 atoms S8

Two conversion factors are needed:

1 mol S8 1 molecule S8
and
6.022 x 1023 molecules S8 8 atoms S
Calculate
6.022 x 1023 molecules S8 × 8 atoms S
1.00 mol S8 ×
1 mol S8 1 molecule S8
= 4.82 x 1024 atoms S8 or c.
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 Molar Mass of Compounds
As for elements, we can use both the mol and molar mass
of formula units/molecules as conversion factors.

How many moles of NaCl are there in 253 g of NaCl?

Solution Map g NaCl mol NaCl

To convert between g of NaCl and moles,

we must first calculate the molar mass of NaCl.

MM = 22.99 g + 35.45 g = 58.44 g NaCl

Calculate
1 mol NaCl
253. g NaCl × = 4.33 mol NaCl
58.44 g NaCl
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 Molar Mass of Compounds

How many moles of TiCl4 are there in

12.5 g of titanium(IV) chloride?

a. 0.0659 mol TiCl4

b. 0.0321 mol TiCl4

c. 2.37 x 103 mol TiCl4

d. 1.01 mol TiCl4

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 Molar Mass of Compounds

How many moles of TiCl4 are there in

12.5 g of titanium(IV) chloride?

a. 0.0659 mol TiCl4 Solution Map

b. 0.0321 mol TiCl4 g TiCl4 mol TiCl4

c. 2.37 x 103 mol TiCl4 MMTiCl4 = 47.87 g + 4(35.45) g

d. 1.01 mol TiCl4 = 189.7 g TiCl4

Calculate
1 mol TiCl4
12.5 g TiCl4 × = 0.0659 mol TiCl4 or a.
189.7 g TiCl4
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Molar Mass of Compounds

What is the mass of 3.45 mol of Li2O?

Solution Map mol Li2O g Li2O

To convert between mol of Li2O and g,

we must first calculate the molar mass of Li2O.
MMLi2O = 2(6.941) gLi + 16.00 gO = 29.88 g Li2O

Calculate
29.88 g Li2O
3.45 mol Li2O × = 103. g Li2O
1 mol Li2O

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 Molar Mass of Compounds

What is the mass of 1.23 mol of PH3?

a. 3.62 x 10-2 g PH3

b. 1.22 x 10-6 g PH3

c. 39.33 g PH3

d. 41.8 g PH3

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Molar Mass of Compounds

What is the mass of 1.23 mol of PH3?

a. 3.62 x 10-2 g PH3
Solution Map
b. 1.22 x 10-6 g PH3 mol PH3 g PH3
c. 39.33 g PH3
MMPH3 = 30.97 g + 3(1.008) g
d. 41.8 g PH3 = 33.99 g PH3
Calculate
33.99 g PH3
1.23 mol PH3 × = 41.8 g PH3
1 mol PH3

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Molar Mass of Compounds
How many molecules of H2S are present in 7.53 g of H2S?
How many atoms of H are present in the sample?

Solution Map g H2S mol H2S molecules H2S atoms H

MMH2S = 2(1.008) g + 32.07 g = 34.09 g H2S

Calculate

× 1 mol H2S × 6.022 x 1023 molecules H2S

7.53 g H2S
34.09 g H2S 1 mol H2S
= 1.33 x 1023 molecules H2S
2 atoms H
1.33 x 1023 molecules H2S × = 2.66 x 1023 atoms H
1 molecule H2S
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Molar Mass of Compounds
How many molecules of H2O2 are there in
0.759 g of the compound?
a. 4.29 x 10-23 molecules H2O2

b. 1.55 x 1025 molecules H2O2

c. 3.95 x 1024 molecules H2O2

d. 1.34 x 1022 molecules H2O2

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Molar Mass of Compounds
How many molecules of H2O2 are there in
0.759 g of the compound?
a. 4.29 x 10-23 molecules H2O2

b. 1.55 x 1025 molecules H2O2 Solution Map

g H2O2 mol H2O2 molecules H2O2
c. 3.95 x 1024 molecules H2O2

d. 1.34 x 1022 molecules H2O2

MMH2O2 = 2(1.008) g + 2(16.00) g = 34.02 g H2O2

1 mol H 2O2 6.022 x 1023 molecules H O
2 2
0.759 g H2O2 × ×
34.02 g H2O2 1 mol H2O2

= 1.34 x 1022 molecules H2O2

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning Objectives
7.3 Percent Composition of Compounds
Calculate the percent composition of a compound from
its chemical composition and from experimental data.
7.4 Calculating Empirical Formulas

Determine the empirical formula for a compound

from its percent composition.

7.5 Calculating the Molecular Formula

from the Empirical Formula
Compare an empirical formula to a molecular formula
and calculate a molecular formula from an
empirical formula, using the molar mass.
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 7.3 Percent Composition of Compounds

Percent = parts per 100 parts

Percent composition: mass percent of each element in

a compound

Molar mass: total mass (100%) of a compound

% composition is independent of sample size

% composition can be determined by:

1. Knowing the compound’s formula or
2. Using experimental data

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 Percent Composition from the
Compound’s Formula
Two Step Strategy

1. Calculate the molar mass of the compound.

2. Divide the total mass of each element by the
compound’s molar mass and multiply by 100.

Total element mass

% of the element = × 100
Compound molar mass

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Percent Composition of Compounds
Calculate the percent composition of K2S.
Step 1 Calculate compound molar mass
MMK2S = 2(39.10) g + 32.07 g = 110.3 g
Step 2 Calculate % composition of each element.
2(39.10) g K × 100 = 70.90 % K
%K=
110.3 g
32.07 g S × 100 = 29.10 % S
%S=
110.3 g
Notice the sum of the percentages must equal 100%.
This provides another way of determining the %
composition of a specific element, if the other %s are known.
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Percent Composition of Compounds

Calculate the percent composition of O in H2O2.

a. 94.07 %
b. 5.93 %
c. 88.9 %
d. 11.1%

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Percent Composition of Compounds

Calculate the percent composition of O in H2O2.

a. 94.06 % Step 1 Calculate molar mass

b. 5.93 % MMH2O2 = 2(1.008) g + 2(16.00)g = 34.02 g
c. 88.9 % Step 2 Calculate % composition O
d. 11.1% 2(16.00) g O ×
%O= 100 = 94.06 % O
34.02 g

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 Percent Composition from
Experimental Data
When heated in air, 1.63 g of Zn reacts with
0.40 g of oxygen to give ZnO. Calculate the percent
composition of the compound formed.
Step 1 Calculate the mass of the compound formed.
Mass compound = MassZn + MassO = 1.63 g + 0.40 g
= 2.03 g ZnO
Step 2 Calculate % composition
1.63 g Zn × 100 = 80.3 % Zn
% Zn =
2.03 g
0.40 g O × 100 = 20. % O
%O=
2.03 g
100.3%
Total should be +/0.5% of 100
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 Percent Composition from
Experimental Data
Aluminum chloride forms by reaction of
13.43 g of Al with 53.18 g of chlorine.
What is the percent composition of Cl in the compound?

a. 53.2 %
b. 79.8 %
c. 20.2 %
d. 46.8 %

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Percent Composition from
Experimental Data
Aluminum chloride forms by reaction of
13.43 g of Al with 53.18 g of chlorine.
What is the percent composition of Cl in the compound?

a. 53.2 % Step 1 Calculate the mass of the compound

b. 79.8 % formed.
Mass compound = MassAl + MassCl
c. 20.2 %
= 13.43 gAl + 53.18 gCl = 66.61 gAlCl compound
d. 46.8 %
Step 2 Calculate % composition
53.18 g Cl × 100 = 79.8 % or b.
% Cl =
66.61 gAlCl
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 7.4 Empirical and Molecular Formula

Empirical Formula: smallest whole number ratio of atoms

in a compound
Molecular Formula: actual formula of a compound.
Represents the total number of atoms
in one formula unit of the compound.
Whole number multiple of the empirical formula
Example Acetylene (C2H2) and Benzene (C6H6)
Both have the same empirical formula CH.
Each compound is a multiple of CH.
Acetylene C2H2 = (CH)2 Benzene C6H6 = (CH)6
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 Empirical and Molecular Formula
Formula Composition Molar Mass
%C %H (g/mol)
CH (empirical formula) 92.3 7.7 13.02
C2H2 (acetylene) 92.3 7.7 26.04 (2 x 13.02)
C6H6(benzene) 92.3 7.7 78.16 (6 x 13.02)

Each compound has very different chemical and

physical properties even though they share
the same empirical formula.
Compounds with the same empirical formula have the
same percent composition.
Molar mass = molar mass of the empirical unit ×
multiple of the unit
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas
Strategy to Calculate an Empirical Formula:
1. Assume a starting mass of the compound (usually
100.0 g) and express the mass of each element in grams.
2. Convert g of each element to mol using molar mass.
(These numbers may or may not be whole numbers.)
3. Divide each of the mole amounts from Step 2 by the
smallest mole amount. The new numbers are the
subscripts in the empirical formula.
Special Case:
If fractions are encountered, multiply by a common factor
to provide whole numbers for each subscript.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas
Calculate the empirical formula for a compound that
contains 11.19% H and 88.79% O.
Step 1 Find amounts of each element
In a 100.0 g sample, there are
11.19 g H and 88.79 g O
Step 2 Convert g to moles using element molar masses
1 mol H
11.19 g H × = 11.10 mol H
1.008 g H

1 mol O
88.79 g O × = 5.549 mol O
16.00 g O
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas

Step 3 Convert to whole numbers by dividing by the

smallest mole amount. (5.549 mol)

For 11.10 mol H

canceling = 2.000 H
5.549 mol(smallest)

5.549 mol O
= 1.000 O
5.549 mol

Empirical formula is H2O

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas
Calculate the empirical formula for a compound that
contains 56.68% K, 8.68% C and 34.73% O.
a. K3C2O3

b. K4C2O6

c. K2CO3

d. KCO2

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas
Calculate the empirical formula for a compound that
contains 56.68% K, 8.68% C and 34.73% O.
Step 1 Find amounts of each element
In a 100.0 g sample, there are
56.68 g K, 8.68 g C and 34.73 g O
Step 2 Convert g to moles
1 mol K
56.69 g K × = 1.447 mol K
39.10 g K
1 mol C
8.68 g C × = 0.723 mol C
12.01 g C
1 mol O
34.73 g O × = 2.171 mol O
16.00 g O
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas
Calculate the empirical formula for a compound that
contains 56.68% K, 8.68% C and 34.73% O.

Step 3 Convert to whole numbers by dividing by the

smallest mole amount.
1.447 mol K
a. K3C2O3 = 2.000
0.723 mol
b. K4C2O6 0.723 mol C
= 1.000
c. K2CO3 0.723 mol
2.171 mol O
d. KCO2 = 3.000
0.723 mol

Empirical formula is: K2CO3

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas
Calculate the empirical formula for a compound that
contains 2.233 g Fe and 1.926 g S?
a. FeS2

b.Fe3S2

c. FeS
d. Fe2S3

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas
Calculate the empirical formula for a compound that
contains 2.233 g Fe and 1.926 g S?

Step 1 Find amounts of each element

Already provided in problem
2.233 g Fe and 1.926 S
Step 2 Convert g to moles
1 mol Fe
2.233 g Fe × = 0.03998 mol Fe
55.85 g Fe
1 mol S
1.926 g S × = 0.06006 mol S
32.07 g S
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating Empirical Formulas
Step 3 Convert to whole numbers by dividing by the
smallest mole amount.
Common Fractions
0.03998 mol Fe
= 1.000 × 2 = 2.000 Decimal Fraction
0.03998 mol 0.25 1/4
0.33… 1/3
0.06006 mol S
= 1.502 × 2 = 3.000 0.5 1/2
0.03998 mol
0.66…. 2/3
0.75 3/4

Empirical formula is Fe2S3 or d.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 To get a whole number, multiply the decimal by the
corresponding number in the denominator of the fraction.

Example After dividing, you get 0.75 (= 3/4)

Multiply by the denominator 4(0.75) = 4(3/4) = 3

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning Objectives

7.5 Calculating the Molecular Formula

from the Empirical Formula

Compare an empirical formula to a molecular formula

and calculate a molecular formula from an
empirical formula, using the molar mass.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Empirical and Molecular Formula
Formula Composition Molar Mass
%C %H (g/mol)
CH (empirical formula) 92.3 7.7 13.02
C2H2 (acetylene) 92.3 7.7 26.04 (2 x 13.02)
C6H6(benzene) 92.3 7.7 78.16 (6 x 13.02)

Each compound has very different chemical and

physical properties even though they share
the same empirical formula.
Compounds with the same empirical formula have the
same percent composition.
Molar mass = molar mass of the empirical unit ×
multiple of the unit
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 7.5 Calculating the Molecular Formula
from the Empirical Formula
If molar mass is known, the molecular formula can be
calculated from the empirical formula.

Molecular formula is a multiple of the empirical formula.

Need to determine the value of n.

Solving for n

Molar mass
n = = number of empirical units
Mass of empirical formula in the molecular formula

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula
The molecular formula can be calculated from the
empirical formula if the compound’s molar mass is known.

Molecular formula = multiple of the empirical formula

(EF)n = MF

Determining the multiple n gives the molecular formula

Molar mass
n = = number of empirical units
Mass of empirical formula in the molecular formula

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula
A compound with the empirical formula NH2
was found to have a molar mass of 32.05 g.
What is the molecular formula?

Molar mass
n = = number of empirical units
Mass of empirical formula in the molecular formula

32.05
n = = 2
14.01 + 2(1.008)

Molecular formula = (NH2)2 = N2H4

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula

A compound with the empirical formula NO2 was found

to have a molar mass of 92.00 g. What is the molecular
formula?
a) NO2

b)N2O4

c) N3O6

d) N4O8

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula

A compound with the empirical formula NO2 was found

to have a molar mass of 92.00 g. What is the molecular
formula?
a) NO2
92.00 g
b)N2O4 n = = 2
14.01 + 2(16.00) g
c) N3O6
Molecular formula = (NO2)2 = N2O4
d) N4O8

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula
Propylene contains 14.3 % H and 85.7 % C and has a
molar mass of 42.08 g. What is its molecular formula?
Plan Calculate empirical formula and then determine the
molecular formula
Step 1 Find compound masses
In 100.0 g of compound, 14.3 g H and 85.7 g C
Step 2 Convert g to moles
× 1 mol H
14.3 g H = 14.2 mol H
1.008 g H

× 1 mol C
85.7 g C = 7.14 mol C
12.01 g C
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula
Step 3 Convert to whole numbers by dividing by the
smallest mole amount.
14.2 mol H
= 1.99
7.14 mol
Empirical formula = CH2
7.14 mol C
= 1.00
7.14 mol

With EF, calculate the molecular formula

42.08 g
n = = 3
12.01 + 2(1.008) g
Molecular formula = (CH2)3 = C3H6
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula
Calculate the molecular formula for a compound that
contains 80.0% C and 20.0% H with a molar mass of 30.00 g.

a. CH3

b. CH2

c. C2H6

d. C2H4

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula
Calculate the molecular formula for a compound that
contains 80.0% C and 20.0% H with a molar mass of 30.00 g.
Plan Calculate empirical and then
molecular formula
Step 1 Find compound masses
In 100.0 g of compound, 20.0 g H and 80.0 g C
Step 2 Convert g to moles
1 mol H
20.0 g H × = 19.8 mol H
1.008 g H
1 mol C
80.0 g C × = 6.66 mol C
12.01 g C
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Calculating the Molecular Formula from
the Empirical Formula
Step 3 Convert to whole numbers by dividing by the
smallest mole amount.
a. CH3 19.8 mol H
= 2.97
6.66 mol
b. CH2
6.66 mol C
c. C2H6 = 1.00
6.66 mol
d. C2H4 Empirical formula = CH3
From empirical formula, calculate the molecular formula
30.00 g
n = = 2
12.01 + 3(1.008) g
Molecular formula = (CH3)2 = C2H6 or c.
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