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Key Concepts in Chemistry

Relative formula mass and percentage composition

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Overview

Adding up relative formula masses for CO₂, CaCO₃, Ca(OH)₂ and H₂SO₄, finding the percentage by mass of an element, and working out empirical formulae from reacting masses.

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Key term

How is the relative formula mass of a compound worked out?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How is the relative formula mass of a compound worked out?

    Model answer

    Add together the relative atomic masses of every atom shown in its formula.

  2. 2

    Calculate the relative formula mass of carbon dioxide, CO₂. Relative atomic masses: C = 12, O = 16.

    Model answer

    12 + (2 × 16) = 44.

  3. 3

    Calculate the relative formula mass of calcium carbonate, CaCO₃. Relative atomic masses: Ca = 40, C = 12, O = 16.

    Model answer

    40 + 12 + (3 × 16) = 100.

  4. 4

    Calculate the relative formula mass of calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂. Relative atomic masses: Ca = 40, O = 16, H = 1.

    Model answer

    40 + 2 × (16 + 1) = 74.

  5. 5

    Calculate the relative formula mass of sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄. Relative atomic masses: H = 1, S = 32, O = 16.

    Model answer

    (2 × 1) + 32 + (4 × 16) = 98.

  6. 6

    State how the percentage by mass of an element in a compound is found.

    Model answer

    Divide the total relative atomic mass of that element by the relative formula mass and multiply by 100.

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