Chemistry (Chang), 9th Edition

Chapter 3: Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions

Chapter Summary

1. Atomic masses are measured in atomic mass units (amu), a relative unit based on a value of exactly 12 for the C-12 isotope. The atomic mass given for the atoms of a particular element is the average of the naturally occurring isotope distribution of that element. The molecular mass of a molecule is the sum of the atomic masses of the atoms in the molecule. Both atomic mass and molecular mass can be accurately determined with a mass spectrometer.

2. A mole is Avogadro’s number (6.022 × 10²³) of atoms, molecules, or other particles. The molar mass (in grams) of an element or a compound is numerically equal to its mass in atomic mass units (amu) and contains Avogadro’s number of atoms (in the case of elements), molecules (in the case of molecular substances), or simplest formula units (in the case of ionic compounds).

3. The percent composition by mass of a compound is the percent by mass of each element present. If we know the percent composition by mass of a compound, we can deduce the empirical formula of the compound and also the molecular formula of the compound if the approximate molar mass is known.

4. Chemical changes, called chemical reactions, are represented by chemical equations. Substances that undergo change—the reactants—are written on the left and the substances formed—the products—appear to the right of the arrow. Chemical equations must be balanced, in accordance with the law of conservation of mass. The number of atoms of each element in the reactants must equal the number in the products.

5. Stoichiometry is the quantitative study of products and reactants in chemical reactions. Stoichiometric calculations are best done by expressing both the known and unknown quantities in terms of moles and then converting to other units if necessary. A limiting reagent is the reactant that is present in the smallest stoichiometric amount. It limits the amount of product that can be formed. The amount of product obtained in a reaction (the actual yield) may be less than the maximum possible amount (the theoretical yield). The ratio of the two multiplied by 100 percent is expressed as the percent yield.