Gen Chem 1 Q1 M4

Module 4 The Relationship of Percent Composition and
Chemical Formula
Chemistry is a subject that involves a lot of concepts and formulas. Some concepts are confusing
for some people because of their similarities in terms of the wordings. Three concepts which may
confuse us are formula mass, molecular mass and molar mass. For a beginner student, these concepts
are quite confusing to 3 them. But how is formula mass different from molecular mass and molar mass?
Is there any difference among those concepts?
Lesson Outline :
4.1 Formula Mass and Molecular Mass

4.2 Calculating the Empirical Formula from Percent Composition, and Molecular Formula from
Molecular Mass
Learning Outcome(s): Write the formula mass, molecular mass and empirical formula of a given
compound properly and correctly
Formula mass is used for compounds that are made up of ions and have primarily ionic bonding.
The term formula mass is suitable to use as it can be used for both ionic and covalent compounds
Molecular mass or known as molar mass is used for compounds that are composed of molecules
and have primarily covalent bonding.. Molecular mass will only be used for covalent compounds.
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 classifications of compounds are ionic compound and covalent compound.
1. 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 5 the presence of ionic charges.
Example of this is sodium chloride which is made up of metal sodium and nonmetal chlorine.
2. 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
Lesson 4.2 Calculating the Empirical Formula from
Percent Composition, and Molecular Formula from
Molecular Mass
Learning Outcome(s): Calculate molecular formula given a molar mass of a compound.
Empirical Formula is the lowest whole-numbered ratio of the elements in a compound.
Molecular Formula is the actual composition of a compound indicating the number of atoms per
element; number of moles of each kind of atom per mole of compound.
How to Calculate the Empirical Formula?

In calculating the empirical formula of a compound, do the following steps below. We will refer
to the sample problem below.
SAMPLE PROBLEM: Determine the empirical formula of a compound whose percentage composition is
50.05% S and 49.95% O by mass.
Step 1. Use 100 g of the compound as basis of calculation. Meaning there will be 50.05 g would
be atoms of Sulfur and 49.95 g would be atoms of Oxygen.
Step 2. Convert the given mass of each atom into their equivalent mole. To do this, convert the
given mass of atom in the compound by using the mole of the atom as the conversion factor
Let us use Sulfur to determine the calculation process. First the given mass of sulfur is 50.05 g
was multiply to 1 mol of S atoms. You may refer to the red straight arrow. The answer is 50.05 g S . mol
of S atoms. Then the 50.05 g S . mol of S atoms was divided by 32.1 g S. You may refer to the red curved
arrow. The answer is 1.56 mol of S atoms. The mole of atom is based on the mass number of the atom
as indicated in the periodic table. The mass number of sulfur in the periodic table is 32.1 or 32.
3. Caffeine has 49.48 % C, 5.19% H, 16.48 % O and 28.85% N. Its molecular mass is 194.19.
What is its molecular formula?

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Module 4 The Relationship of Percent Composition and

4.1 Formula Mass and Molecular Mass

How to Write the Formula Mass of a Compound?

How is Mass Number different from Formula Mass?

Empirical Formula is the lowest whole-numbered ratio of the elements in a compound.

How to Calculate the Empirical Formula?

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