1.

Formulae, equations and amounts of substance

The mole is the key concept for chemical calculations

DEFINITION: The mole is the amount of substance in grams that has the
same number of particles as there are atoms in 12 grams of carbon-12.

DEFINITION: Relative atomic mass is the weighted mean mass of one

atom compared to one twelfth of the mass of one atom of carbon-12

Molar mass for a compound can be calculated by adding

DEFINITION: Molar mass is the mass in grams of 1 up the mass numbers(from the periodic table) of each
mole of a substance and is given the unit of g mol-1 element in the compound
eg CaCO3 = 40.1 + 12.0 +16.0 x3 = 100.1

For most calculations we will do at A- level we will use the following 3 equations
Learn these equations carefully and what units to use in them.

1. For pure solids, liquids and gases 2. For Gases 3. For solutions

Amount = mass Gas volume (dm3)= amount x 24 Concentration = amount

molar mass volume
This equation give the volume of a
Unit of Mass: grams Unit of concentration: mol dm-3 or M
gas at room pressure (1atm) and
Unit of amount : mol Unit of volume: dm3
room temperature 25oC. Converting volumes

It is usually best to give cm3  dm3 ÷ 1000

your answers to 3sf cm3  m3 ÷ 1000 000
dm3  m3 ÷ 1000

For pure solids, liquids and gases Example 1: Calculate the amount, in mol, in 35.0g of
CuSO4
amount = mass
amount = mass/Mr
Mr
= 35/ (63.5 + 32 +16 x4)
Unit of mass: grams = 0.219 mol
Unit of amount : mol

Many questions will involve changes of units

1000 mg =1g
1000 g =1kg
1000kg = 1 tonne
Significant Figures
Give your answers to the same
number of significant figures as the
Example 2: Calculate the amount, in mol, in 75.0mg of number of significant figures for the
CaSO4.2H2O data you given in a question. If you
amount = mass/Mr are given a mixture of different
significant figures, use the smallest
= 0.075/ (40 + 32.0 +16.0 x4 + 18.0x2)
= 4.36x10-4 mol

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Hydrated salt

A hydrated salt contains water of crystallisation Example 3

Na2SO4 . xH2O has a molar mass of 322.1
.
Cu(NO3)2 6H2O Calculate the value of x
hydrated copper (II) nitrate(V). Molar mass xH2O = 322.1 – (23x2 + 32.1 + 16x4)
= 180
Cu(NO3)2 x = 180/18
Anhydrous copper (II) nitrate(V). =10

This method could be used for measuring mass loss in various

Heating in a crucible thermal decomposition reactions and also for mass gain when
reacting magnesium in oxygen.

The lid improves the accuracy of the

The water of crystallisation in calcium sulfate crystals can be
experiment as it prevents loss of solid
removed as water vapour by heating as shown in the following
from the crucible but should be loose
equation.
fitting to allow gas to escape.
CaSO4.xH2O(s) → CaSO4(s) + xH2O(g)
Method.
•Weigh an empty clean dry crucible and lid .
•Add 2g of hydrated calcium sulfate to the crucible and weigh
again
•Heat strongly with a Bunsen for a couple of minutes
•Allow to cool
•Weigh the crucible and contents again
•Heat crucible again and reweigh until you reach a constant
mass ( do this to ensure reaction is complete).

Large amounts of hydrated calcium sulfate, such as 50g,

should not be used in this experiment as the
decomposition is like to be incomplete.
Small amounts the solid , such as
0.100 g, should not be used in
The crucible needs to be dry otherwise a wet crucible this experiment as errors in
would give an inaccurate result. It would cause mass loss weighing are too high.
to be too large as water would be lost when heating.

Example 4. 3.51 g of hydrated zinc sulfate were heated and 1.97 g of

anhydrous zinc sulfate were obtained.
Calculate the value of the integer x in ZnSO4.xH2O

Calculate the mass of H2O = 3.51 – 1.97 = 1.54g

Calculate moles Calculate moles = 1.54
= 1.97 of H2O
of ZnSO4 161.5 18

= 0.0122 =0.085

Calculate ratio of mole

of ZnSO4 to H2O = 0.0122 = 0.085
0.0122 0.0122
=7
=1
X=7

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Avogadro's Constant

The mole is the amount of substance in Avogadro's constant

grams that has the same number of There are 6.02 x 1023 atoms in 12 grams of carbon-12. Therefore
particles as there are atoms in 12 grams explained in simpler terms 'One mole of any specified entity
of carbon-12. contains 6.02 x 1023 of that entity':

Avogadro's constant can be used 1 mole of copper atoms will contain 6.02 x 1023 atoms
for atoms, molecules and ions 1 mole of carbon dioxide molecules will contain 6.02 x 1023 molecules
1 mole of sodium ions will contain 6.02 x 1023 ions

No of particles = amount of substance (in mol) X Avogadro's constant

Example 5: How many atoms of tin are Example 6 : Calculate the number of chloride ions in a
there in a 6.00 g sample of tin metal? 25.0 cm3 of a solution of magnesium chloride of
amount = mass/Ar concentration 0.400 mol dm-3
= 6/ 118.7 amount= concentration x volume
= 0.05055 mol MgCl2 = 0.400 x 0.025

Number atoms = amount x 6.02 x 1023 = 0.0100 mol

There are two moles of
= 0.05055 x 6.02 x 1023 Amount of chloride ions = 0.0100 x2 chloride ions for every
= 3.04 x1022 = 0.0200 one mole of MgCl2
Number ions of Cl- = amount x 6.02 x 1023
= 0.0200 x 6.02 x 1023
= 1.204 x1022

Density calculations are usually used with pure liquids but to work out the mass
Density
from a measured volume. It can also be used with solids and gases.

Density = mass Density is usually given in g cm-3

Care needs to be taken if different units are
volume
used.

Example 7 : Calculate the number of molecules of ethanol in Example 8: There are 980 mol of pure gold in a bar
0.500 dm3 of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) liquid. measuring 10 cm by 20 cm by 50 cm. Calculate the
The density of ethanol is 0.789 g cm-3 density of gold in kg dm−3
Mass = amount x Mr
Mass = density x volume
ethanol = 980 x 197
= 0.789 x 500
= 193060 g
= 394.5g
= 193.06kg
amount = mass/Mr
volume = 10x20x50
= 394.5/ 46.0
= 10 000cm3
= 8.576 mol = 10dm3
Number of molecules= amount x 6.022 x 1023 density = mass/volume
= 8.576 x 6.022 x 1023 = 193/10
= 19.3 kg dm-3
= 5.16 x1024(to 3 sig fig)

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 Parts per million (ppm)
Concentrations can be given also in parts per million.
This is often used for gases in the atmosphere or in
exhausts, and pollutants in water.

parts per million (ppm) of = mass of substance in mixture

X 1000 000
substance, by mass total mass of mixture

Example 9 : Blood plasma typically contains 20 parts per million (ppm) of

magnesium, by mass.
Calculate the mass of magnesium, in grams, present in 100 g of plasma.

parts per million (ppm) of = mass of substance in mixture

substance, by mass total mass of mixture X 1000 000

20 = mass of substance in mixture X 1000 000

100

mass of substance in mixture = 20 x100/1000 000

= 2 x 10-3 g

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Empirical Formula
Definition: An empirical formula is the simplest ratio of atoms of each element in the compound.

General method
The same method can be
Step 1 : Divide each mass (or % mass) by the atomic mass of the element used for the following types
Step 2 : For each of the answers from step 1 divide by the smallest one of of data:
those numbers. 1. masses of each element
in the compound
Step 3: sometimes the numbers calculated in step 2 will need to be multiplied
up to give whole numbers. 2. percentage mass of each
element in the compound
These whole numbers will be the empirical formula.

Example 10 : Calculate the empirical formula for a compound that contains

1.82g of K, 5.93g of I and 2.24g of O
Step1: Divide each mass by the atomic mass of the element
K = 1.82 / 39.1 I = 5.93/126.9 O = 2.24/16
= 0.0465 mol = 0.0467mol = 0.14 mol
Step 2 For each of the answers from step 1 divide by the smallest one of those numbers.
K = 0.0465/0.0465 I = 0.0467/0.0465 O = 0.14 / 0.0465
=1 =1 =3
Empirical formula =KIO3

Molecular formula from empirical formula

Definition: A molecular formula is the actual number of atoms of each element in the compound.

From the relative molecular mass (Mr) work out how many times the mass of the empirical
formula fits into the Mr.

Example 11 : Determine the molecular formula for

the compound with an empirical formula of C3H6O The Mr does not need to be exact to turn an
and a Mr of 116 empirical formula into the molecular formula
because the molecular formula will be a
C3H6O has a mass of 58 whole number multiple of the empirical
formula.
The empirical formula fits twice into Mr of 116
So the molecular formula is C6H12O2

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 Concentration of Solutions

A solution is a mixture formed when a solute dissolves in a solvent. In chemistry we most commonly use
water as the solvent to form aqueous solutions. The solute can be a solid, liquid or a gas.

Molar concentration can be measured for solutions. This is calculated by dividing the amount
in moles of the solute by the volume of the solution. The volume is measure is dm3. The unit
of molar concentration is mol dm-3 ; it can also be called molar using symbol M

Concentration = amount Unit of concentration: mol dm-3 or M

volume Unit of Volume: dm3

Converting volumes

A m3 is equivalent to a cube A dm3 is equivalent to a cube A cm3 is equivalent to a cube

100cmx100cmx100cm= 1000000 cm3 10cmx10cmx10cm= 1000 cm3 1cmx1cmx1cm

1 dm3 = 1 litre 1 cm3 = 1 ml

100cm
10cm
10cm 1cm
1cm
10cm 1cm
100cm

100cm 1cm3
1 dm3 or 1 litre

1m3

1 m3 = 1000 dm3 or 1000L 1 dm3 = 1000 cm3 or 1000 mL

To convert m3 into dm3 multiply by 1000 To convert cm3 into dm3 divide by 1000

cm3  dm3 ÷ 1000

cm3  m3 ÷ 1000 000
dm3  m3 ÷ 1000

Example 12 Calculate the concentration of solution Example 13 Calculate the concentration of solution
made by dissolving 5.00 g of Na2CO3 in 250 cm3 water. made by dissolving 10 kg of Na2CO3 in 0.50 m3 water.
amount = mass/Mr amount = mass/Mr
= 5 / (23.0 x2 + 12 +16 x3) = 10 000 / (23.0 x2 + 12 +16 x3)
= 0.0472 mol = 94.2 mol
conc= amount/volume conc= amount/volume
= 0.0472 / 0.25 = 94.2 / 500
= 0.189 mol dm-3 = 0.19 mol dm-3

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 Mass Concentration

The concentration of a solution can also be To turn concentration measured in mol dm-3 into
measured in terms of mass of solute per volume concentration measured in g dm-3 multiply by Mr of the
of solution substance
conc in g dm-3 = conc in mol dm-3 x Mr
Mass concentration = mass The concentration in g dm-3 is the same as the mass of
volume solute dissolved in 1dm3

Unit of mass concentration: g dm-3

Unit of mass g
Unit of volume: dm3

Ions dissociating
When soluble ionic solids dissolve in water they will dissociate into separate ions. This can lead to the
concentration of ions differing from the concentration of the solute.

Example 14
If 5.86g (0.1 mol) of sodium chloride (NaCl) is dissolved in 1
dm3 of water then the concentration of sodium chloride
solution would be 0.1moldm-3 . NaCl(s) +aq  Na+(aq) + Cl- (aq)
However the 0.1mol sodium chloride would split up to form
0.1 mol of sodium ions and 0.1 mol of chloride ions. The 0.1mol 0.1mol 0.1mol
concentration of sodium ions is therefore 0.1 mol dm-3 and the
concentration of chloride ions is also 0.1 mol dm-3
Example 15
If 9.53g (0.1 mol) of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) is dissolved
in 1 dm3 of water then the concentration of magnesium chloride
solution (MgCl2 aq) would be 0.1moldm-3 . MgCl2(s) +aq  Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl- (aq)
However the 0.1mol magnesium chloride would split up to form
0.1mol 0.1mol 0.2mol
0.1 mol of magnesium ions and 0.2 mol of chloride ions. The
concentration of magnesium ions is therefore 0.1 mol dm-3 and
the concentration of chloride ions is now 0.2 mol dm-3

Making a solution

• Weigh the sample bottle containing the required mass of Alternatively the known mass of
solid on a 2 d.p. balance solid in the weighing bottle could be
• Transfer to beaker and reweigh sample bottle transferred to beaker, washed and
• Record the difference in mass washings added to the beaker.

• Add 100 cm3 of distilled water to the beaker. Use a glass

rod to stir to help dissolve the solid.

•Sometimes the substance may not dissolve well in cold

water so the beaker and its contents could be heated gently
until all the solid had dissolved.

• Pour solution into a 250 cm3 graduated flask via a funnel. Remember to fill so the bottom of the
• Rinse beaker and funnel and add washings from the meniscus sits on the line on the neck of
beaker and glass rod to the volumetric flask. the flask. With dark liquids like potassium
• make up to the mark with distilled water using a dropping manganate it can be difficult to see the
pipette for last few drops. meniscus.
• Invert flask several times to ensure uniform solution.

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 Dilutions
Diluting a solution
Using a volumetric pipette is more
accurate than a measuring cylinder
•Pipette 25cm3 of original solution into a 250cm3 because it has a smaller uncertainty
volumetric flask
•make up to the mark with distilled water using a Use a teat pipette to make up to the mark
dropping pipette for last few drops. in volumetric flask to ensure volume of
• Invert flask several times to ensure uniform solution. solution accurately measured and one
doesn’t go over the line

Calculating Dilutions
Diluting a solution will not change the amount of moles of solute present but increase the volume of
solution and hence the concentration will lower
amount= volume x concentration
If amount of moles does not change then
Original volume x original concentration = new diluted volume x new diluted concentration

so new diluted concentration = original concentration x original volume

new diluted volume

The new diluted volume will be equal to the original volume of solution added + the volume of water added.

Example 16
50 cm3 of water are added to 150 cm3 of a 0.20 mol dm-3 NaOH solution. Calculate the concentration of
the diluted solution.
new diluted concentration = original concentration x original volume
new diluted volume
new diluted concentration = 0.20 x 0.150
0.200
= 0.15 mol dm-3

Example 17
What volume of water in cm3 must be added to dilute 5.00 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm−3 hydrochloric acid so that
it has a concentration of 0.050 mol dm−3 ?
Amount in mol original solution = conc x vol
= 1.00 x 0.005
= 0.005
New volume = amount /conc
= 0.005/0.05
= 0.1dm3 = 100cm3

Volume of water added = 100-5 = 95cm3

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Ideal Gas Equation

The ideal gas equation applies to all gases and mixtures of gases. If a PV = nRT
mixture of gases is used the value n will be the total moles of all gases
in the mixture. Unit of Pressure (P):Pa
Unit of Volume (V): m3
The biggest problems students have with this equation is choosing and Unit of Temp (T): K
converting to the correct units, so pay close attention to the units. n= moles
R = 8.31 JK–1mol–1

Example 18: Calculate the mass of Cl2 gas that has a pressure of Converting temperature
100 kPa, temperature 20 oC , volume 500 cm3. (R = 8.31)
oC  K add 273
moles = PV/RT
100 kPa = 100 000 Pa
= 100 000 x 0.0005 / (8.31 x 293) 20oC = 20+273= 293K
= 0.0205 mol 500 cm3 = 0.0005 m3

Mass = amount x Mr
= 0.0205 x (35.5 x2)
= 1.46 g

Example 19: 0.150 g of a volatile liquid was injected into a sealed gas syringe. The gas syringe was placed in an oven at
70 oC at a pressure of 100 kPa and a volume of 80 cm3 was measured. Calculate the Mr of the volatile liquid (R =
8.31)
moles = PV/RT 100 kPa = 100 000 Pa
= 100 000 x 0.00008 / (8.31 x 343) 80 cm3 = 0.00008 m3
= 0.00281 mol

Mr = mass/amount
= 0.15 / 0.00281
= 53.4 g mol-1

Using a gas syringe

Gas syringes can be used for a variety of experiments where the volume of a gas is measured, possibly to
work out moles of gas or to follow reaction rates.

The volume of a gas depends on pressure Make sure you don’t leave
and temperature so when recording volume gaps in your diagram where
it is important to note down the temperature gas could escape
and pressure of the room.

Moles of gas can be calculated from gas

volume (and temperature and pressure)
using ideal gas equation PV = nRT

If drawing a gas syringe make

Potential errors in using a gas syringe
sure you draw it with some
•gas escapes before bung inserted
measurement markings on the
•syringe sticks
barrel to show measurements
• some gases like carbon dioxide or sulphur
can be made.
dioxide are soluble in water so the true amount of
gas is not measured.

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Changing the Conditions of a gas

Questions may involve the same amount of gas under different conditions.

Example 20
40 cm3 of oxygen and 60 cm3 of carbon dioxide, each at 298 K and 100 kPa, were placed into an
evacuated flask of volume 0.50 dm3. Calculate the pressure of the gas mixture in the flask at 298 K

There are two approaches to solving this

1. Work out amount in mol of gas using ideal gas equation then put back into ideal gas
equation with new conditions
P1V1 = P2V2
2. Or combine the equation n= PV/RT as on right
T1 T2
Can do this as moles of gas do not change

As temperature is the same can make the above equation P1V1 = P2V2
P2 = P1V1 /V2
= 100000 x 1x 10-4 / 5x10-4
= 20 000Pa

Reacting Volumes of Gas

Equal volumes of any gases measured under the same 1 mole of any gas at room
conditions of temperature and pressure contain equal pressure (1atm) and room
numbers of molecules (or atoms if the gas in monatomic) temperature 25oC will have the
volume of 24dm3
Volumes of gases reacting in a balanced equation
can be calculated by simple ratio

Example 21 If one burnt 500 cm3 of methane at 1atm and 300K what volume of
Oxygen would be needed and what volume of CO2 would be given off under the
same conditions?
CH4(g) + 2 O2(g)  CO2(g) + 2 H2O(l)
1 mole 2 mole 1 mole

500cm3 1dm3 500cm3

Simply multiply
gas volume x2

Example 22 An important reaction which occurs in the catalytic converter of a car is

2CO(g) + 2NO(g)  2CO2(g) + N2(g)
In this reaction, when 500 cm3 of CO reacts with 500 cm3 of NO at 650 °C and at 1 atm.
Calculate the total volume of gases produced at the same temperature and pressure.

2CO(g) + 2NO(g)  2CO2(g) + N2(g) total volume of gases produced = 750cm3

500cm3 500cm3 500cm3 250cm3

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Converting quantities between different substances using a balanced equation Typically we are given a quantity
of one substance and are asked
N2 + 3H2  2NH3 to work out a quantity for
another substance in the
The balancing (stoichiometric) numbers are mole ratios reaction. Any of the above three
e.g. 1 mol of N2 reacts with 3 mol of H2 to produce 2mol of NH3 equations can be used.

Step 3
Step 1:
Step 2: Convert amount, in mol, of
Use one of the above 3 equations to
Use balanced equation to second substance into quantity
convert any given quantity into
convert amount in mol of initial question asked for using
amount in mol
substance into amount in mol of relevant equation
Mass amount
second substance e.g. amount ,Mr  mass
Volume of gas  amount
Amount gas  vol gas
Conc and vol of solution  amount
amount, vol solution  conc

Example 23: Calculate the mass of carbon dioxide that Example 24: Calculate the mass of copper that reacts
would be produced from heating 5.50 g of sodium completely with 150 cm3 of 1.60 mol dm-3 nitric acid.
hydrogencarbonate. 3Cu + 8HNO3  3Cu(NO3 )2 + 2NO + 4H2O
2NaHCO3  Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
Step 1: work out moles of nitric acid
Step 1: work out amount, in mol, of sodium
amount = conc x vol
hydrogencarbonate
= 1.6 x 0.15
amount = mass / Mr
= 0.24 mol
= 5.5 /84
= 0.0655 mol
Step 2: use balanced equation to give moles of Cu
Step 2: use balanced equation to give amount in mol 8 moles HNO3 : 3 moles Cu
of CO2 So 0.24 HNO3 : 0.09 (0.24 x 3/8) mol Cu
2 moles NaHCO3 : 1 moles CO2
So 0.0655 HNO3 : 0.0328mol CO2
Step 3: work out mass of Cu
Step 3: work out mass of CO2 Mass = amount x Mr
Mass = amount x Mr = 0.09 x 63.5
= 0.0328 x 44.0 =5.71g
=1.44g

Example 25: What is the total volume of gas produced in

Example 26: 23.6cm3 of H2SO4 neutralised 25.0cm3 of
dm3 at 333K and 100kPa when 0.651 g of magnesium
0.150 mol dm-3 NaOH. Calculate the concentration of the
nitrate decomposes when heated?
H2SO4
2Mg (NO3)2 (s) 2 MgO (s) + 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g)
H2SO4 + 2NaOH  Na2SO4 +2H2O
Step 1: work out moles of magnesium nitrate
Moles = mass / Mr Step 1: work out moles of sodium hydroxide
= 0.651 / 148.3 amount = conc x vol
= 0.00439 mol = 0.150 x 0.025
= 0. 00375 mol
Step 2: use balanced equation to give moles of gas
Step 2: use balanced equation to give moles of H2SO4
produced
2 moles NaOH : 1 moles H2SO4
2 moles Mg (NO3)2 : 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g) ie 5moles of gas
So 0.00375 NaOH : 0.001875 mol H2SO4
So 0.00439 Mg (NO3)2 : 0.01098( 0.00439 x 5/2) mol gas
Step 3 work out concentration of H2SO4
Step 3: work out volume of gas conc= amount/volume
Volume = nRT/P
= 0.001875 / 0.0236
= (0.01098 x 8.31 x 333 )/ 100000
= 0.000304 m3 = 0.0794 mol dm-3
= 0.303 dm3

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 % Yield
% yield in a process can be lowered through
actual yield incomplete reactions, side reactions, losses during
percentage yield = x 100 transfers of substances, losses during purification
theoretical yield stages.

Example 27: 25.0g of Fe2O3 was reacted and it produced 10.0g of Fe. What is the percentage yield?
Fe2O3 + 3CO  2Fe + 3 CO2

First calculate maximum mass of Fe that could be produced

Step 1: work out amount in mol of Iron oxide
amount = mass / Mr
=25 / 159.6
= 0.1566 mol

Step 2: use balanced equation to give moles of Fe

1 moles Fe2O3 : 2 moles Fe
So 0.1566 Fe2O3 : 0.313mol Fe
% yield = (actual yield/theoretical yield) x 100
Step 3: work out mass of Fe
Mass = amount x Mr = (10/ 17.48) x 100
= 0.313 x 55.8
=57.2%
=17.5g

% Atom Economy

Mass of useful products Do take into account

percentage balancing numbers
= x 100
atom economy when working out %
Mass of all reactants
atom economy.

Example 28: Calculate the % atom economy for the following reaction where Fe is
the desired product assuming the reaction goes to completion.
Fe2O3 + 3CO  2Fe + 3 CO2
% atom economy = (2 x 55.8)
x 100
(2 x 55.8 + 3x16) + 3 x (12+16)
=45.8%

Sustainable chemistry requires chemists to design Reactions where there is only one product where all
processes with high atom economy that minimise atoms are used making product are ideal and have
production of waste products. 100% atom economy.
e.g. CH2=CH2 + H2  CH3CH3

If a process does have a side, waste product the economics of the process can be improved by selling the bi-product
for other uses

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 Displacement Reactions
Metal displacement reactions
More reactive metals will displace less reactive metals from their compounds
Mg + CuSO4  Cu + MgSO4
Ionically Mg + Cu2+  Cu + Mg2+

Halogen displacement reactions

A halogen that is a strong oxidising agent will displace a halogen that has a lower oxidising
power from one of its compounds

Cl2(aq) + 2Br – (aq)  2Cl – (aq) + Br2(aq)

See topic 4b Halogens for
Cl2(aq) + 2I – (aq)  2Cl – (aq) + I2(aq)
more detail
Br2(aq) + 2I – (aq)  2Br – (aq) + I2(aq)

Precipitation Reactions

Insoluble salts can be made by mixing appropriate solutions of ions so that a precipitate is formed
Lead nitrate (aq) + sodium chloride (aq)  lead chloride (s) + sodium nitrate (aq)
These are called precipitation reactions. A precipitate is a solid

When making an insoluble salt, normally the salt would be removed by filtration, washed with
distilled water to remove soluble impurities and then dried on filter paper

Writing ionic equations for precipitation reactions

We usually write ionic equations to show precipitation Spectator ions are ions that are not
reactions. Ionic equations only show the ions that are • Not changing state
reacting and leave out spectator ions. • Not changing oxidation number

Take full equation Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 2NaCl (aq)  PbCl2 (s) + 2 NaNO3 (aq)

Separate (aq) solutions Pb2+(aq) + 2NO3-(aq) + 2Na+ (aq)+ 2Cl-(aq)  PbCl2 (s) + 2 Na+(aq)+ 2NO3- (aq)
into ions

Cancel out spectator ions

Pb2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)  PbCl2 (s)
leaving ionic equation

Reactions of Acids
Neutralisation reactions form salts
A Salt is formed when the H+ ion
of an acid is replaced
by a metal ion or an ammonium ion Bases neutralise acids. Common bases are
metal oxides, metal hydroxides and ammonia.

The most common strong acids are : An alkali is a soluble base that releases OH-
Hydrochloric ( HCl), sulfuric (H2SO4) and nitric (HNO3) ions in aqueous solution;
acid; The most common alkalis are sodium hydroxide
(NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and
aqueous ammonia (NH3)

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Common Acid Reaction Equations
Acid + Carbonate  Salt + Water + Carbon Dioxide
Acid + Base  Salt + Water
H2SO4 + K2CO3  K2SO4 + CO2 + H2O
HCl + NaOH  NaCl +H2O
2HCl + Na2CO3 2NaCl + CO2 + H2O
2HNO3 + Mg(OH)2  Mg(NO3)2 + 2H2O
H2SO4 + 2NaOH  Na2SO4 +2H2O 2HCl + CaCO3  CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O

2HCl + CaO  CaCl2 +H2O Observations : In carbonate reactions there will

be Effervescence due to the CO2 gas evolved
HCl + NH3  NH4Cl and the solid carbonate will dissolve. The
temperature will also increase.

Acid + Metal  Salt + Hydrogen

2HCl + Mg  MgCl2 + H2

Observations: These reaction will

effervesce because H2 gas is evolved
and the metal will dissolve

Ionic equations for reactions of acids with metals, carbonates, bases and alkalis
Ionic equations
acid + metal  salt + hydrogen
2HCl (aq) + Mg (s) MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g) 2H+ (aq) + Mg (s)  Mg2+ (aq) + H2 (g)

acid + alkali (NaOH)  salt + water

2HNO2 (aq) + Ba(OH)2 (aq)  Ba(NO2)2 (aq) + 2H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH– (aq)  H2O (l)

acid + carbonate (Na2CO3)  salt + water + CO2

2H+(aq) + CO3 2–(aq)  H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
2HCl (aq)+ Na2CO3 (aq)  2NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)+ CO2 (g)

Example 29
The equation representing the reaction between copper(II) oxide and dilute sulfuric acid is:
CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq)  CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
Write the ionic equation for the reaction.
Only the sulfate ion is a spectator ion in this case because it’s the only ion not changing state.
CuO(s) + 2H+  Cu2+ (aq) + H2O(l)

Method for preparing a soluble salt

If using an insoluble base, metal or solid carbonate

• Add solid base to acid (gently heat to speed up reaction) Use excess solid base/
• Filter off excess solid base metal/carbonate to ensure all acid
• Heat filtrate solution until volume reduced by half reacts/neutralises and that the
• Leave solution to cool and allow remaining water to evaporate product is neutral
slowly and crystals to form
• Filter or pick out crystals
The percentage yield of crystals will
• Leave to dry and put crystals between filter
be less than 100% because some
salt stays in solution. There will also
If using a soluble base be losses on transferring from one
An indicator can be used to show when the acid and alkali have container to another and a loss on
completely reacted to produce a salt solution using the titration filtering.
method. Then repeat reaction without indicator using the same
volumes. Then follow above method from the reducing volume of
solution stage to evaporate neutralised solution to get crystals of
salt

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