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    Mole concept

    Updated10 min read
    On this page
    1. Solved Numericals of mole concept
    2. Percentage composition
    3. Solved Numericals
    4. Empirical formula
    5. Molecular formula
    6. Solved Numerical
    7. Limiting reagent
    8. Solved numericals
    9. Berzelius hypothesis
    10. Avogadro’s hypothesis (law)
    11. Applications of Avogadro’s law
    12. 1. Determination of atomicity of elementary gases
    13. 2. Determination of the relationship between vapour density and molecular mass
    14. 3. Derivation of the relationship between gram molecular mass and volume of a gas
    15. 4. Derivation of the relationship between gram molecular weight and number of molecules
    16. Some important questions
    17. Limiting Reagent
    18. Percentage composition

    Mole concept: A mole is defined as a collection of particles of anything (atoms, ions, electrons, protons, etc) equal in number to the number of atoms present in 1 gm atom of C-12 isotope.

    mole concept illustration

    In terms of atoms,

    number\ of\ moles = \frac{weight\ in\ gm}{atomic\ weight}

    In terms of mass,

    number\ of\ moles = \frac{weight\ in\ gm}{molecular\ weight}

    In terms of ions,

    number\ of\ moles = \frac{weight\ in\ gm}{ionic\ weight}

    In terms of gases,

    number\ of\ moles = \frac{volume\ at\ NTP}{22.4\ litres}

    1 mole of H atoms = 6.023 x 1023 atoms = 1.008 gm
    1 mole of H2 molecules = 6.023 x 1023 molecules = 2.016 gm
    1 mole of H2O = 6.023 x 1023 molecules = 18 gm
    1 mole of SO4— ions = 6.023 x 1023 ions = 96 gm


    Solved Numericals of mole concept

    1. Pure water sample having a mass of 0.36 gm is taken, answer the following questions.

    i. How many moles of water are present?

    \begin {align*} number\ of\ moles &= \frac{weight\ in\ gm}{molecular\ weight}\\ &=\frac{0.36}{18}= 0.02\ mol \end{align*}

    ii. How many molecules of water are present?

    1 mol of water = 6.023 x 1023 molecules
    0.02 mol of water = 6.023 x 1023 x 0.02 = 1.2046 x 1022 molecules

    iii. How many atoms of hydrogen are present ?

    1 mol of watter = 2 x 6.023 x 1023 atoms
    0.02 mol of water = 2 x 6.023 x 1023 x 0.02 = 2.4092 x 1022 atoms

    iv. How many volume of water is present at NTP ?

    1 mol of water at NTP = 22.4 L
    0.02 mol of water at NTP = 22.4 x 0.02 = 0.448 L


    2. Calculate the weight of 1 molecule of CaCO3.

    \begin {align*} 1\ mol\ of CaCO_{3} &= 100\ gm\\ 6.023 \times 10^{23}\ molecules\ of\ CaCO_{3} &= 100\ gm\\ 1\ molecules\ of\ CaCO_{3} &= \frac{100\ gm}{6.023 \times 10^{23}}\\ &=1.6606 \times 10^{-22}\ gm \end{align*}


    3. Calculate the weight of 100 ml of NH3 gas at NTP.

    1 mole of NH3 = 17 gm
    22.4 litres of NH3 at NTP = 17 gm
    22400 ml of NH3 at NTP = 17 gm
    100 ml of NH3 at NTP = (17 x 100) / 22400= 0.0759 gm


    4. Which of the following has the largest number of molecules and how? 7 gm of nitrogen or 1 gm of hydrogen.
    solution:

    → In 7 gm of nitrogen
    Number of moles = 7/28 = 0.25 mol
    Number of molecules = 0.25 x 6.023 x 1023 molecules

    → In 1 gm of hydrogen
    Number of moles = 1/2 = 0.5 mol
    Number of molecules = 0.5 6.023 10 molecules

    So 1 gm of hydrogen has a large number of molecules because its number of moles is large.


    What volume of CO2 is produced when 20 gm of 20% CaCO3 is heated?
    solution:

    \underset {1mol(100\ gm)}{CaCO_{3}} \rightarrow \underset {1\ mol}{CaO} + \underset {}{\underset{22.4\ L\ at\ NTP}{\underset {1\ mol}{CO_{2}}}}\\ \begin {align*} Given\ mass\ of\ CaCO_{3} &= 20 \%\ of\ 20gm = 4gm\\ 4\ gm\ of\ CaCO_{3} &= \frac{22.4}{100} \times 4 = 0.896L\ at\ NTP\\ &= 886\ cc\ at\ NTP \end{align*}
    


    5. What mass of 60% pure sulphuric acid is required to decompose 25 gm of CaCO3?
    solution:

    \underset {\underset {100\ gm}{1\ mol}}{CaCO_{3}} + \underset {\underset {98\ gm}{1\ mol}}{H_{2}SO_{4}} \rightarrow CaSO_{4} + H_{2}O + CO_{2}

    100 gm of CaCO3 is decomposed by 98 gm of H2SO4
    25 gm of CaCO3 is decomposed by 24.5 gm of H2SO4
    Given H2SO4 is 60% pure
    let mass of 60% pure H2SO4 = x gm

    x \times 60 \%\ = 24.5\\ x \times \frac{60}{100} = 24.5\\ \therefore x = 40.833\ gm


    Percentage composition

    Percent means certain parts present per hundred parts. Percent of an element in a compound is the number of parts by mass of that element per hundred parts by mass of the compound. The percent composition of a compound gives per cent by the mass of elements present in the compound.

    \%\ element = \frac{mass\ of\ element}{mass\ of\ the\ compound} \times 100


    Solved Numericals

    1. Calculate the percentage composition of Al2O3.
    solution:

    Molecular\ mass\ of\ Al_{2}O_{3} = 2 \times 27 + 3 \times 16 = 102\\ \%\ of\ Al = \frac{54}{102} \times 100 = 52.94\ \%\ \\ \%\ of\ O = \frac{48}{102} \times 100 = 47.06\ \%\ 


    2. Calculate the percentage composition of the water of crystallization in blue vitriol crystal.
    solution:

    Molecular weight of CuSO4.5H2O = 63.5 + 32 + 4 x 16 + 5 x 18 = 249.5 gm
    % of water crystallization = (5 x 18 x 100)/249.5 = 36.07 %


    Empirical formula

    It is the simplest formula that represents the simplest whole-number ratio of the number of atoms of all elements present in one molecule of the compound. eg. the empirical formula of glucose is CH2O where its actual formula is C6H12O6.


    Molecular formula

    It is the true formula that represents the actual number of atoms of all the elements present in one molecule of the compound.


    Solved Numerical

    1. Determine the empirical and molecular formula of a compound having the following percentage composition: 40% carbon, 6.66% hydrogen and 53.44% oxygen. (Mol. mass =60)
    solution:

    element%At. wt.No. of.
    moles
    simplest
    ratio
    whole no.
    ratio
    Carbon401240/12 = 3.333.33/3.33=1
    hydrogen6.6616.66/1 = 6.666.66/3.33=21:2:1
    oxygen53.441653.44/16 = 3.343.34/3.33=1

    Empirical formula = CH2O
    Empirical formula mass = 12 + 2 + 16 = 30
    Molecular mass = 60

    Common\ factor\ (n) = \frac{Molecular\ mass}{empirical\ formula\ mass}= \frac{60}{30}=2\\ \begin{align*} Molecular\ formula &= (Empirical\ formula)_{n}\\ &= (CH_{2}O)\\ &= C_{2}H_{4}O_{2} \end{align*}


    Limiting reagent

    The reagent which is present in the lesser amount gets consumed completely and limits the amount of product formed is limiting reagent.


    Solved numericals

    5 gm of pure CaCO3 is treated with 5 gm of HCl.
    i. Find the limiting reagent.
    ii. Calculate the mass of CaCl2 formed.
    iii. How many number of water molecules are produced?
    iv. Calculate the volume of CO2 produced at NTP?
    Solution:

    \underset {\underset {100\ gm}{1\ mol}}{CaCO_{3}} + \underset {\underset {73\ gm}{2\ mol}}{2HCl} \rightarrow \underset {\underset {111\ gm}{1\ mol}}{CaCl_{2}} + \underset {1\ mol}{H_{2}O} + \underset {\underset {22.4\ lit}{1\ mol}}{CO_{2}}

    i. 100 gm of CaCO3 requires 73 gm of HCl
    5 gm of CaCO3 requires 3.65 gm of HCl
    The amount of HCl present is 5 gm and the required is 3.65 gm. So HCl is excess and CaCO3 is the limiting reagent.

    ii. 100 gm of CaCO3 produces 111 gm of CaCl2
    5 gm of CaCO3 produces 5.55 gm of CaCl2.

    iii. 100 gm of CaCO3 produces 6.023 x 1023 water molecules
    5 gm of CaCO3 produces 3.011 x 1023 water molecules.

    iv. 100 gm of CaCO3 produces 22.4 lit of CO2 at NTP
    5 gm of CaCO3 produces 1.12 lit of CO2 at NTP


    2. 10 gm of Fe2O3 is reacted with 9 gm of CO.
    i. Find the limiting reagent.
    ii. How many moles of unreacted reagent left over?
    iii. Calculate the mole of CO consumed in the reaction.
    iv. What mass of NaOH is required to absorb the whole CO2 produced?
    Solution:

    \underset {\underset {159.7\ gm}{1\ mol}}{Fe_{2}O_{3}} + \underset {\underset {84\ gm}{3\ mol}}{3CO} \rightarrow \underset {2\ mol}{2Fe} + \underset {3\ mol}{3CO_{2}}

    i. 159.7 gm of Fe2O3 reacts with 84 gm of CO
    10 gm of Fe2O3 reacts with 5.25 gm of CO
    The amount of CO present is 9 gm and the required is 5.25 gm. So CO is excess and Fe2O3 is the limiting reagent.

    ii. Mass of unreacted reagent left over = 9 – 5.25 = 3.75 gm
    Moles of unreacted reagent left over = 3.75/28 = 0.133 mol

    iii. Mole of CO consumed = 5.25/28 = 0.1875 mol

    iv. 159.7 gm of Fe2O3 produces 3 x 44 gm of CO2
    10 gm of Fe2O3 produces 8.26 gm of CO2

    \underset {80\ gm}{2NaOH} + \underset {44\ gm}{CO_{2}} \rightarrow Na_{2}CO_{3} + H_{2}O

    To absorb 44 gm of CO2, 80 gm of NaOH is required.
    To absorb 8.26 gm of CO2, 15 gm of NaOH is required.


    Berzelius hypothesis

    It states that “Under the similar condition of temperature and pressure, an equal volume of all gases consists of an equal number of atoms”.


    Avogadro’s hypothesis (law)

    It states that “Under the similar condition of temperature and pressure, an equal volume of all gases consists of an equal number of molecules”.


    Applications of Avogadro’s law

    1. Determination of atomicity of elementary gases

    The number of atoms present in a molecule of elementary gas is called atomicity. One molecule of hydrogen has two atoms. Its atomicity is 2.

    Q: Prove that hydrogen is diatomic?

    avogardos-law

    We know that,

    1 molecule of Hydrogen chloride = 1/2 molecule of hydrogen
    1 molecule of hydrogen chloride = 1 atom of hydrogen
    1/2 molecule of hydrogen = 1 atom of hydrogen
    1 molecule of hydrogen = 2 atoms of hydrogen

    So hydrogen is diatomic molecule.


    2. Determination of the relationship between vapour density and molecular mass

    Vapour density is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of gas to the same volume of hydrogen under a similar condition of temperature and pressure.

    Vapour\ density\ (VD)= \frac{Weight\ of\ certain\ volume\ of\ gas}{Weight\ of\ same\ volume\ of\ hydrogen\ gas}

    Let the certain volume of gas contain n molecules. Then applying Avogadro’s law,

    vapour density and molecular weight reln

    Molecular weight is the ratio of the weight of one molecule of gas to the weight of one atom of hydrogen.

    \begin {align*} Molecular\ weight &= \frac{Weight\ of\ 1\ molecule\ of\ gas}{Weight\ of\ 1\ atom\ of\ hydrogen\ gas} ----(ii)\\ VD &= \frac{Molecular\ weight}{2}\\ Hence,\ Molecular\ weight &= 2 \times vapour\ density \end {align*}


    3. Derivation of the relationship between gram molecular mass and volume of a gas

    Molecular weight expressed in gram is called gram molecular mass. Experimentally, one gram molecular mass occupies 22.4 litres of a gas at NTP which is explained by Avogadro’s law.

    We have,
    Mol. wt. = 2 x V.D

    gram molecular mass and vol of gas reln

    Gram molecular weight = 22.4 x Weight of 1 litre of gas
    Gram molecular weight = Weight of 22.4 litres of gas at NTP
    Gram molecular weight = 22.4 litres at NTP


    4. Derivation of the relationship between gram molecular weight and number of molecules

    we know that,

    6.023 x 1023 molecules = gram molecular weight
    1 molecule = gram moleculer weight/6.023 x 1023

    Some important questions

    Mole Concept

    1. A pure water sample having a mass of 0.18 gm is taken.
      a. How many moles of water are present? (0.1)
      b. How many molecules of water are present? (6.023 x 1022)
      c. How many atoms of hydrogen are present? (1.2044 x 1023)
      d. How many gram molecules of water are present? (0.1)
      e. Calculate the volume occupied at NTP? (2.24 L)
    2. Which of the following has a larger number of molecules and why? 7 gm of nitrogen or 1 gm of hydrogen. (H2)
    3. How many molecules are contained in 0.35 moles of N2? (2.1 x 1023)
    4. What volume of CO2 is produced at NTP when 20 gm of 20% pure CaCO3 is completely heated? (896 cc)
    5. How many moles of hydrogen are left when 3×1021 molecules of hydrogen are removed from a vessel containing 40 mg of hydrogen? (0.015 mol)
    6. What mass of 60% pure sulphuric acid is required to decompose 25 gm of CaCO3? (40.833 gm)
    7. Calculate the mass of 120 cc of nitrogen at NTP. How many molecules are present in it? (0.15 gm, 3.22 x 1021)
    8. 34.2 gm of sucrose (C12H22O11) is dissolved in 180 gm of water. Calculate the number of oxygen atoms in the solution. (6.684 x 1024)
    9. Calculate the number of hydrogen atoms present in 25.6 gm of urea. (1.03 x 1024)
    10. Sulphuric acid is manufactured through the following reactions.
      S + O2 → SO2
      2SO2 + O2 → 2SO3
      SO3 + H2O → H2SO4
      What mass of oxygen is needed to produce 4.9 gm of H2SO4? (2.4)

    Limiting Reagent

    1. 5 gm of pure CaCO3 if treated with 5 gm of HCl to produce CaCl2, H2O and CO2.
      a. Find the limiting reagent. (CaCO3)
      b. Calculate the mass of CaCl2 formed. (5.55 gm)
      c. How many water molecules are produced? (3.011×1022)
      d. Calculate the volume of CO2 produced at NTP. (1.12 L)
    2. 10 gm of pure zinc reacts with excess dilute sulphuric acid to yield zinc sulphate and hydrogen.
      a. Calculate the number of moles of H2SO4 consumed. (0.153)
      b. Calculate the mass of ZnSO4 formed. (24.70 gm)
      c. What volume of hydrogen is evolved at NTP? (3430.32 cc)
    3. 10.6 gm of pure Na2CO3 if treated with 7.9 gm of HCl to produce NaCl, H2O and CO2.
      a. Find the limiting reagent. (Na2CO3)
      b. Calculate the mole of unreacted reagent left over. (0.0164)
      c. What volume of CO2 is produced at NTP? (2.24 L)
      d. Calculate the mass of NaCl formed. (11.7 gm)
    4. 200 gm of 90% pure CaCO3 is completely reacted with excess HCl to produce CaCl2, H2O and CO2.
      a. Calculate the mass of CaCl2 formed. (199.8 gm)
      b. How many moles of water are formed? (1.8)
      c. What volume of CO2 is produced if the reaction is carried out at 27oC and 760 mm of Hg? (44.30 L)
    5. 17 gm of ammonia is completely reacted with 45 gm of oxygen to produce NO and H2O.
      a. Which is limiting reagent? (NH3)
      b. Calculate the number of moles of unreacted reagent left over. (0.156)
      c. What volume of NO is produced at NTP? (22.4 L)
      d. Calculate the mass of water produced. (27 gm)
    6. A chemical reaction was carried out by mixing 25 gm of pure CaCO3 and 0.75 moles of pure HCl.
      a. Which one is limiting reagent? (CaCO3)
      b. Calculate the mass of CaCl2 produced. (27.75 gm)
      c. How many water molecules are formed? (1.505×1023)
      d. What mass of NaOH is required to absorb the whole CO2 produced in the reaction? (20 gm)

    Percentage composition

    1. A compound contains 75% carbon and 25% hydrogen. Determine its empirical formula. (CH4)
    2. Butyric acid contains C, H and O. 4.24 gm sample of butyric acid is completely burnt. It gives 8.45 gm of CO2 and 3.46 gm of H2O. If molecular mass of butyric acid is 88, determine its molecular formula. (C4H8O2)
    3. A sample of pure oxide of sulphur contains 50.1 % sulphur and 49.9% oxygen by mass. What is the simplest formula of compound. (SO2)
    4. 7gm of nitrogen is combined with 12 gm of oxygen. What is the empirical formula. (N2O3)
    5. In hydrocarbon, the ratio of hydrogen to carbon is 2:1 and the molecular weight is 42. Find its molecular formula. (C3H6)
    6. During construction of Palpa-Butwal road, a new compound was suspected. It contains 4.6 gm sodium, 6.4 gm sulphur and 4.8 gm oxygen.
      a. Calculate the percentage composition.
      b. What is the empirical formula of compound. (Na2S2O3)

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