Department of Education

Region III
Schools Division of Zambales
District of Subic
JOSEPHINE F. KHONGHUN SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTER
307111

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

ADVANCE SCIENCE 9

Formula Mass, Empirical Formula and Molecular Mass

I. Introduction
This activity sheet was prepared to guide you on how to write the formula mass,
molecular mass and empirical formula of a given compound properly and correctly.
Knowing the process of writing the said formulas of various compounds will help us to
determine the actual mass and proportion of the elements that make up the compound. In
addition, familiarization on the process on measuring the formula mass, molecular mass
or empirical formula could help people who are involved in chemical-related industries to
double check if the amount of the elements in a compound as indicated in their product
labels are true and valid.

II. Learning Competency

Calculating Formula Mass

III. Objectives:
At the end of this learning activity sheet, you are expected to:

1. calculate molecular formula given the molar mass.

Review:
A. Sentence Completion. Complete each statement with a word/ concept in the
blank of the item.
1. _____ refers to the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an
atom.
2. How many carbon atoms in chemical formula CH4?
3. ______ gives the lowest whole-number ratio of the elements in a compound.
4. Cl is the chemical symbol for ______
5. Formula mass is used for compounds that are made up of ions and have primarily
_____ bonding.

Formula Analysis. Analyze the figures below then answer the corresponding guide questions.

NaCl NO2
Figure 1 Figure 2

Guide Questions:
1. Which figure show compound whose atoms are bonded by covalent bond?
2. What do we call to the formula represented by figures 1 and 2?
3. What type of compound is in figure 1?

A. Formula Mass and Molecular Mass

Formula mass is used for compounds that are made up of ions and have primarily ionic bonding.
While Molecular mass or known as molar mass is used for compounds that are composed of molecules
and have primarily covalent bonding. The term formula mass is suitable to use as it can be used for
both ionic and covalent compounds. Molecular mass will only be used for covalent compounds.

1
How to Write the Formula Mass of a Compound?

Compound
A substance which is made up of two or more atoms joined together by a chemical bond.
Compounds may be classified into two based from the nature of the atoms that make up them, and
the type of intramolecular bond that exist between atoms. The two classification of compounds are
ionic compound and covalent compound. The ionic compound is formed between a metal atom and a
nonmetal atom, and the type of intramolecular bond exist between atoms is ionic bond due to
the presence of ionic charges. Example of this is sodium chloride which is made up of metal sodium
and nonmetal chlorine.

The covalent compound is formed between two or more nonmetal atoms, and the type of
intramolecular bond that exist between atoms is covalent bond. Example of this is Carbon
tetrachloride.

So, in using the term formula mass or molecular mass, you must determine first the
intramolecular bond that exists between atoms of compounds.

How is Mass Number different from Formula Mass?

If mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, the
formula mass is the sum of all mass numbers of the atoms that make up the compound. The mass
number is very important in determining the formula mass of a certain compound.
The mass number of each element can be seen in the periodic table. Below shows the mass
number of element nitrogen in the periodic table which is 14.007 or 14.0 u. The mass number is
always rounded off to the nearest tenths that is why the value of the mass number of nitrogen is 14.0
instead of 14.007. The symbol u means unified mass number unit or unified atomic mass unit that
is used in all formula mass units.

Can you determine the mass number of the following elements in the periodic table?
1. Ca - __________________________ 3. Cu - ___________________________
2. Si - ___________________________ 4. P - ____________________________

If your answer to the mass number of Phosphorous is 31.0 u then you are correct. As seen in
the periodic table, the mass number of phosphorous is 30.974 and has to be rounded off to 31.0 u.

Important Steps in Solving the Formula Mass of a Compound

In writing the formula mass of a compound, do the following steps below. We will use Al(OH)3
as an example.

Step 1. List down the atoms involved in the formula which are represented by chemical symbol. Write
this in downward manner in the first column.
Atom
Al
O
H

2
Step 2. Determine the number of atoms in the formula. Write this in the second column. Consider
the subscript which is written outside the parenthesis.
Atom Number of Atoms
Al 1
O 3
H 3

Note that the number of oxygen atom and hydrogen atom have increased by 3 because of the
subscript located outside the parenthesis. The subscript will only affect the atoms inside the
parenthesis which can be seen in (OH)3 of Al(OH)3.

Step 3. Write the mass number of each element in the third column.
Atom Number of Atoms Mass number
Al 1 27.0 u
O 3 16.0 u
H 3 1.0 u

Step 4. Multiply the number of each atom to its mass number to determine the total mass number
of each atom. Write this in the fourth column.
Atom Number of Atoms Mass number Total mass number
of each atom
Al 1 27.0 u 27.0 u
O 3 16.0 u 48.0 u
H 3 1.0 u 3.0 u

Step 5. Get the sum of all total masses to determine the formula mass of Al(OH) 3.
Atom Number of Atoms Mass number Total mass number
of each atom
Al 1 27.0 u 27.0 u
O 3 16.0 u 48.0 u
H 3 1.0 u 3.0 u
78.0 u
Therefore, the formula mass of Al(OH)3 is 78.0 u.

PRACTICE EXERCISE: Problem Solving

Calculate the formula mass following the given format below.

1. Copper sulfate (CuSO4)

Atom Number of Atoms Mass number Total mass number
of each atom

Cu 1 ___________ _______________
S 1 ___________ _______________
O 4 ____________ _______________
______________

2. C6H12O6
3. (NH4)2SO4
4. C7H5NO3S
5. Ca3(PO4)2

WORK IN PROGRESS

Look for a product found at your home. Identify 1 chemical formula as written on its label
then determine its formula mass as well as the uses.