Basic Concepts of Chemistry

Molecular Formula: A Brief Overview

Just like each atom has a unique symbol, each compound has a unique molecular
formula.

The molecular formula of a compound provides information about the names and
numbers of atoms of the different elements present in a molecule of that compound.

Molecular formula is a chemical formula that indicates the kinds of atoms and the
numbers of each kind of atom in a molecule of a compound.

Examples

• The molecular formula of glucose is C6H12O6. One molecule of glucose contains 6

atoms of carbon, 12 atoms of hydrogen and 6 atoms of oxygen.

• The molecular formula of water is H2O. One molecule of water contains 2 atoms of
hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen.

Salient features of chemical formula:

• Compounds are formed when two or more elements combine chemically. Hence,
compounds can also be represented using symbols.

• The notation used for representing any compound is called chemical formula of that
compound.

• Each compound has a unique chemical formula.

• The chemical formula of any compound tells us about : The different elements which
combine to form the compound and the number of atoms of each element present in a
molecule of the compound

• For example, H2O is the chemical formula of water. This denotes that there are two
atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen present in one molecule of water.

Chemical Formulae

Let us understand the information derived from chemical formulae by taking the
example of carbon dioxide. The chemical formula of carbon dioxide is CO2. Using this
formula, we can derive the following information about carbon dioxide.
• Two elements are present in carbon dioxide: carbon(C) and oxygen (O).

• CO2 represents one molecule of carbon dioxide.

• Since one atom of carbon combines with two atoms of oxygen, the valency of carbon is
twice that of oxygen.

• CO2 is a neutral molecule. It has no charge.

• The relative atomic masses of carbon and oxygen are 12 u and 16 u respectively. So,
the ratio by mass between carbon and oxygen is 12 : 32, i.e., 3 : 8.

Writing Chemical Formulae

To write the chemical formula of a compound, one should have prior knowledge of two
things.

• The symbols of the constituent elements.

• The combining capacity of the atom of each element constituting the compound.

The number of atoms of other elements with which one atom of an element combines is
decided by the valency of that element.

For example, both hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl) have a valency of 1. Therefore, one
atom of hydrogen reacts with one atom of chlorine to form one molecule of hydrogen
chloride (HCl).

The valency of an ion is equal to the charge on it.

Chemical Formulae

The valencies of some common ions are given in the following table.
Symbols Valencies Names of Symbols Valencies
Names of ions ions

Aluminium Al3+ 3 Sulphite 2

Ammonium 1 Bromide Br− 1
Calcium Ca2+ 2 Carbonate 2
Copper(II) Cu2+ 2 Chloride Cl− 1
Hydrogen H+ 1 Hydride H− 1

Chemical Formulae
 The valencies of some common ions are given in the following table.
Names of ions Symbols Valencies Names of ions Symbols Valencies

Iron(II) Fe2+ 2 Hydrogen 1

carbonate

Iron(III) Fe3+ 3 Hydroxide OH− 1

Magnesium Mg2+ 2 Nitrate 1

Nickel Ni2+ 2 Nitrite 1

Potassium K+ 1 Oxide O2− 2

Silver Ag+ 1 Phosphate 3

Sodium Na+ 1 Sulphate 2

Zinc Zn2+ 2 Sulphide S2− 2

Chemical Formulae

The following rules need to be kept in mind while writing the chemical formulae of
compounds.

•The valencies or charges on the ions must be balanced. The charge on a cation must
be equal in magnitude to the charge on an anion so that the opposite charges cancel
each other out and the net charge of the molecule becomes zero.

Examples

• In case of CaO, the valency of Ca is +2 and that of O is −2. These are then crossed
over and the compound formed is CaO.

Formula of calcium oxide

Symbols Ca O

Charges 2+ 2−
• The charge on Mg2+ is +2 and that on Cl− is −1. Thus, one Mg2+ ion combines with two
Cl− ions to form a molecule with the formula MgCl2.

• In case of a compound consisting of a metal and a non-metal, the symbol of the metal is
written first.

Chemical Formulae

Example

• In calcium chloride (CaCl2) and zinc sulphide (ZnS), calcium and zinc are metals, so
they are written first; chlorine and sulphur are non-metals, so they are written after the
metals.

• In case of compounds consisting of polyatomic ions, the polyatomic ions are enclosed in
brackets before writing the number to indicate the ratio.

Example

• In case of aluminium sulphate, to balance the charges, two ions combine with
one Al3+ ion. Thus the formula for aluminium sulphate is Al2(SO4)3. Here, the brackets
with the subscript 3 indicate that three sulphate ions are joined to two aluminium ions.

Formula of aluminium sulphate

Symbols Al SO4

Charges 3+ 2−

Chemical Formulae

Naming Certain Compounds

Compound Rule Example

A metal and a Metal is written first Calcium nitride

non-metal Non-metal is written last with suffix −ide (Ca3N2)
Two non- Less electronegative non-metal is Phosphorous
metals written first pentachloride
In case, more than one atom of a non- (PCl5)
metal is present then prefix like −di, −tri,
−tetra etc. is added

Two elements Oxygen is placed at end of the formula Sodium

and oxygen Following prefixes or suffixes are used hypochlorite
depending on the number of oxygen (NaClO)
atoms present:
Sodium chlorite
Less than two oxygen (NaClO2)
atom: hypo (prefix)
Two oxygen atoms: −ite (suffix) Sodium chlorate
Three oxygen atoms: −ate (suffix) (NaClO3)
More than three oxygen atoms:
−per (prefix) Sodium
perchlorate
(NaClO4)
Acids Binary acids Hydrochloric
Prefix: hydro acid (HCl)
Suffix: −ic with the name of second
element Sulphuric acid
Polyatomic radicals (H2SO4)
Suffix: −ic on the basis of second
element
Prefix not used

Trivial names Used for specific compounds Ammonia (NH3)

No systemic rule followed
Water (H2O)

Solved Examples

Easy

Example 1:

Give two examples each of molecules having one atom, two atoms and three
atoms.

Solution:

Molecules having one atom (/monatomic molecules): Argon (Ar) and Neon (Ne)

Molecules having two atoms (/diatomic molecules): Nitrogen (N2) and Oxygen (O2)
Molecules having three atoms (/triatomic molecules): Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
carbon dioxide (CO2)

Medium

Example 2:

The valencies of a few ions are provided below.

H+ = 1, = 2, Br− = 1, Mg2+ = 2 and K+ = 1

Write the formulae for magnesium bromide, magnesium sulphate, hydrogen

bromide and potassium sulphate.

Solution:

•Magnesium bromide: MgBr2

•Magnesium sulphate: MgSO4

•Hydrogen bromide: HBr

•Potassium sulphate: K2SO4

Hard

Example 3:

Write the names of the following compounds.

i)H2CO3

ii)KNO3

iii)(NH4)3PO4

iv)Na2CO3

v)Al(NO3)3

vi)NaHCO3

Solution:
 i)H2CO3: Hydrogen carbonate

ii)KNO3: Potassium nitrate

iii)(NH4)3PO4: Ammonium phosphate

iv)Na2CO3: Sodium carbonate

v)Al(NO3)3: Aluminium nitrate

vi)NaHCO3: Sodium hydrogen carbonate

Chemical Changes and Their Representation in the Form of Chemical Equations

A chemical change can be confirmed by any or all of the following observations-

• change in state
• change in colour
• change in temperature
• evolution of gas
• formation of a precipitate

A chemical change is always accompanied by a chemical reaction. Reaction is the term

used for depicting a change or transformation in which a substance decomposes,
combines with other substances, or interchanges constituents with other substances.
Let us see how we can represent a chemical change using a reaction.
 Thus, a chemical equation is an easier and more concise method for representing a
chemical reaction. It involves writing symbols and formulae (instead of words) for all
substances involved in the reaction.

A chemical equation also indicates the number of atoms of each element involved in a
reaction. In which reactants are given on left-hand side of a reaction and products are
given on right-hand side.

Reactants: The substance which takes part in a chemical reaction.

Products: The new substances produced as a result of chemical reaction.

Try to represent the statements given below as chemical equations.

(a) Potassium metal reacts with water to give potassium hydroxide and
hydrogen gas.

(b) Hydrogen gas combines with nitrogen to form ammonia.

Symbols of elements:

Potassium = K

Hydrogen =H

Nitrogen = N

Questions asked in previous years’ board examinations

Ques.
Write any two observations in an activity which may suggest that a chemical reaction has
taken place. Give an example in support of your answer.

(2 marks)

−2010 CBSE Delhi

 Sol: A chemical change can be confirmed by any of the following observations:

• Change in temperature
• Evolution of gas

For example: Calcium oxide reacts vigorously with water to produce calcium hydroxide.
During this process, a large amount of heat is also evolved, which increases the temperature
of the system. This confirms that a chemical reaction has taken place.

Also, when calcium carbonate is heated, it decomposes to form calcium oxide and carbon
dioxide.

In this reaction, calcium carbonate breaks down to form calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
Here, evolution of the gas (carbon dioxide) confirms that a chemical reaction has taken
place.

Balanced Chemical Equations

To describe a chemical reaction more concisely, equations of the reactions are written.

Chemical equation

A chemical equation is a concise form which uses symbols and formulae of the
chemical compounds or elements involved in the reaction. It also indicates the number
of atoms of each element involved in a reaction.

In a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants should be equal to the total
mass of the products. This means that the total number of atoms of each element
should be equal on both sides of a chemical equation. Such an equation is called
a balanced chemical equation, and the method by which it is obtained is called the
balancing of chemical equations.

Another example of a balanced chemical equation is the reaction of limewater with

carbon dioxide, that results in the formation of a precipitate of calcium carbonate and
water is represented as:
In this reaction, calcium hydroxide is present in the form of a solution in water, carbon
dioxide is present as a gas, calcium carbonate is produced as a precipitate i.e. in the
solid state, and water is formed in the liquid state.

The energy changes involved in a reaction are denoted by writing the changes involved
in the equation itself.

If energy is used in the reaction, then it will be written on the left-hand side. If it is
released in the process, then it is written on the right-hand side.

For example, combustion of butane (or any other hydrocarbon i.e., the compounds
made up of carbon and hydrogen) is accompanied by the evolution of heat and light
energy along with the production of carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, the equation
for the same will be written as:

The reaction conditions (such as temperature, pressure, catalyst etc.) for a reaction are
indicated above or below the forward arrow in a reaction.

Below are some balanced chemical equations:

Chemical Reaction Chemical Equation

One reactant or two or more products CaCO3 → CaO + CO2

Two reactants and one product N2 + H2 → 2 NH3

Two reactants and two products Na2SO4 + BaCl2 → BaSO4 + 2 NaCl

Two reactants and three or more Cu + 2 H2SO4 → CuSO4 + 2H2O +
products SO2
 Write the balanced equations for the following chemical reactions.

1. Barium chloride + Sodium sulphate → Barium sulphate + Sodium chloride.

2. Sodium + Water → Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen

Other questions asked in previous years’ board examinations

Ques. On what basis is a chemical equation balanced?

(1 mark)

−2010 CBSE Delhi

Sol: Law of conservation of mass forms the basis of balancing chemical equations. In a
balanced chemical equation, the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the
equation.

Ques. Balance the following chemical equation:

Pb(NO3)2 (s) PbO (s) + NO2 (g) + O2 (g)

(1 mark)

−2009 CBSE Delhi

Sol: The balanced chemical equation for the given reaction is:

Information conveyed by balanced chemical equations

• Result of the chemical change

• Number of molecules of reactants being consumed and products being formed
• Chemical composition of reactants and product species
• Molecular mass of reactants and products
• Proves the law of conservation of mass

Limitation of a chemical equation

A chemical equation does not provide some other important chacteristics of a chemical
reaction, such as:

• time needed to complete the reaction

• physical state of reactants and products
• concentration of each reactant and product
• rate of the reaction

Making a chemical reaction more informative

• Providing the information about catalyst used, temperature and pressure of the reaction
above or below the arrow.