Stoichiometry
1. Formulae and Equations
Chemical Formulae
- Formula of Elements: Represents the simplest ratio of atoms (e.g., $\text{O}_2$, $\text{P}_4$).
- Molecular Formula: Shows the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule of a compound.
- Deducing Formulae: Determine formulae from molecular models or diagrams.
Chemical Equations
- Word Equations: Use names of reactants and products.
- Symbol Equations: Use chemical symbols and formulae.
- State Symbols:
- $(s)$ solid
- $(l)$ liquid
- $(g)$ gas
- $(aq)$ aqueous solution
- Ionic Equations: Show only the species that change during the reaction; spectator ions are omitted.
2. Relative Masses
Relative Atomic Mass ($A_r$)
- The weighted average mass of an atom of an element compared to 1/12th of the mass of an atom of carbon-12.
Relative Molecular Mass ($M_r$) and Formula Mass
- Relative Molecular Mass ($M_r$): Sum of the relative atomic masses of all atoms in a molecule.
- Relative Formula Mass: Sum of relative atomic masses for ionic compounds (where molecular formula is not applicable).
3. The Mole Concept
The Mole and Avogadro Constant
- The Mole ($\text{mol}$): The unit for amount of substance.
- Avogadro Constant: $6.02 \times 10^{23}$ particles per mole.
- Calculation: $\text{Number of particles} = \text{moles} \times (6.02 \times 10^{23})$
Molar Mass Calculations
- Formula: $$\text{mass (g)} = \text{moles (mol)} \times \text{molar mass (g/mol)}$$
- $\text{Molar mass}$ is numerically equal to $M_r$ or $A_r$.
Empirical and Molecular Formulae
- Empirical Formula: The simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
- Molecular Formula: A multiple of the empirical formula.
- Calculation: Determine empirical formula from percentage composition or mass, then use $M_r$ to find the molecular formula.
4. Stoichiometry and Reacting Masses
Simple Proportions
- Calculate reacting masses using the ratio of $M_r$ without the mole concept.
Stoichiometric Calculations
- Use balanced symbol equations to determine the molar ratio between reactants and products.
- Limiting Reactant: The reactant that is completely consumed first, limiting the amount of product formed.
5. Gas and Solution Stoichiometry
Molar Gas Volume
- At room temperature and pressure (r.t.p.), 1 mole of any gas occupies $24\text{ dm}^3$.
- Formula: $\text{volume (dm}^3) = \text{moles} \times 24$
Solution Concentrations
- Mass Concentration: $\text{g/dm}^3$
- Molar Concentration: $\text{mol/dm}^3$
- Conversion: $\text{mol/dm}^3 = \frac{\text{g/dm}^3}{\text{molar mass}}$
Titrations
- Use titration data (volume and concentration of a known solution) to calculate the unknown concentration or volume of another solution.

6. Yield and Purity
$$\text{Percentage Yield} = \frac{\text{actual yield}}{\text{theoretical yield}} \times 100%$$
$$\text{Percentage of element} = \frac{(\text{number of atoms} \times A_r)}{\text{total } M_r} \times 100%$$
$$\text{Percentage Purity} = \frac{\text{mass of pure substance}}{\text{total mass of impure sample}} \times 100%$$