Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry

1. Laws of Chemical Combination

1. Law of Conservation of Mass (Lavoisier):

Matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Total mass of reactants = Total mass of products.

2. Law of Definite Proportions (Joseph Proust):

A given compound always contains exactly the same proportion of elements by weight, irrespective of the source. (e.g., Water is always H:O = 1:8 by mass).

3. Law of Multiple Proportions (Dalton):

If two elements form more than one compound, the masses of one element that combine with a fixed mass of the other are in the ratio of small whole numbers.
Example: CO (12:16) and CO2 (12:32). Ratio of O is 16:32 = 1:2.

4. Law of Reciprocal Proportions (Richter):

The ratio of masses of two elements A and B which combine separately with a fixed mass of C is either the same or a simple multiple of the ratio of masses in which A and B combine directly.

5. Gay Lussac's Law of Gaseous Volumes:

Gases combine in a simple ratio by volume (at same T and P).
H2(1 vol) + Cl2(1 vol) → 2HCl(2 vol).

2. The Mole Concept

A Mole is the amount of substance containing as many entities as there are atoms in exactly 12g of C-12 isotope.

NA = 6.022 × 1023

The Y-Map Calculation

  • From Mass: n = Given Mass / Molar Mass
  • From Particles: n = Given Particles / NA
  • From Volume (Gas at STP): n = Volume (L) / 22.4
Mole Concept Map

Average Atomic Mass

For isotopes with % abundance (a, b) and atomic masses (m1, m2):

Avg Mass = (a×m1 + b×m2) / (a + b)

3. Empirical & Molecular Formula

  • Empirical Formula (EF): Simplest whole number ratio of atoms. (e.g., CH for Benzene).
  • Molecular Formula (MF): Actual number of atoms. (e.g., C6H6 for Benzene).
MF = n × EF
n = Molar Mass / Empirical Formula Mass

4. Stoichiometry

Calculations based on balanced chemical equations.

Limiting Reagent (LR)

The reactant which is consumed first and limits the amount of product formed.

How to find LR:
  1. Calculate moles of all reactants.
  2. Divide moles by their stoichiometric coefficient.
  3. The reactant with the lowest ratio is the Limiting Reagent.
Limiting Reagent Analogy

5. Concentration Terms

1. Mass Percent (% w/w):
(Mass of Solute / Mass of Solution) × 100
2. Mole Fraction (x):
xA = nA / (nA + nB)
(Independent of Temperature)
3. Molarity (M):
Moles of Solute / Vol of Solution (L)
(Changes with Temperature)
4. Molality (m):
Moles of Solute / Mass of Solvent (kg)
(Independent of Temperature)

Numericals & HOTS

Q1. Basic Mole Concept

Calculate the total number of electrons present in 1.6 g of Methane (CH4).

Solution:
1. Moles of CH4 = Mass / Molar Mass
n = 1.6 g / 16 g/mol = 0.1 mol.

2. Electrons in 1 molecule of CH4:
C(6) + 4H(4) = 10 electrons.

3. Total Electrons = n × NA × 10
= 0.1 × 6.022 × 1023 × 10
= 1 × 6.022 × 1023
Ans: 6.022 × 1023 electrons
Q2. Stoichiometry & Purity

20 g of MgCO3 sample decomposes on heating to give carbon dioxide and 8.0 g Magnesium oxide. What will be the percentage purity of Magnesium carbonate in the sample? (At. mass Mg=24).

Solution:
MgCO3 → MgO + CO2
Molar Mass MgCO3 = 24+12+48 = 84 g.
Molar Mass MgO = 24+16 = 40 g.

According to stoichiometry:
84 g MgCO3 gives 40 g MgO.
To get 8.0 g MgO, MgCO3 needed = (84/40) × 8 = 16.8 g.

% Purity = (Pure Mass / Total Mass) × 100
% Purity = (16.8 / 20) × 100
Ans: 84%
Q3. Limiting Reagent

50.0 kg of N2 (g) and 10.0 kg of H2 (g) are mixed to produce NH3 (g). Calculate the amount of NH3 formed.

Solution:
Reaction: N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3
Moles N2 = 50,000 / 28 = 1785.7 mol.
Moles H2 = 10,000 / 2 = 5000 mol.

Check LR:
For N2: 1785.7 / 1 = 1785.7
For H2: 5000 / 3 = 1666.6
Since 1666.6 < 1785.7, H2 is LR.

Moles NH3 = (2/3) × Moles H2
= (2/3) × 5000 = 3333.3 mol.
Mass NH3 = 3333.3 × 17 = 56666 g
Ans: 56.67 kg
Q4. Mixing of Acids

If 500 mL of 5M solution is diluted to 1500 mL, what will be the molarity of the solution obtained?

Solution:
Dilution Formula: M1V1 = M2V2
M1 = 5 M, V1 = 500 mL.
V2 = 1500 mL.

5 × 500 = M2 × 1500
2500 = 1500 M2
M2 = 2500 / 1500 = 5/3
Ans: 1.66 M
Q5. Finding Formula

An oxide of iron has 69.9% iron and 30.1% dioxygen by mass. Determine the empirical formula. (Fe=55.85, O=16.00).

Solution:
1. Moles Fe = 69.9 / 55.85 = 1.25 mol.
2. Moles O = 30.1 / 16.00 = 1.88 mol.

Simple Ratio:
Fe = 1.25 / 1.25 = 1
O = 1.88 / 1.25 = 1.5

Whole Number Ratio: Multiply by 2.
Fe = 2, O = 3.
Ans: Fe2O3
Q6. Minimum Molecular Mass

An enzyme contains 3.2% sulphur by mass. Calculate the minimum molecular mass of the enzyme. (Atomic mass S = 32).

Solution:
For "minimum" molar mass, the molecule must contain at least one atom of Sulphur.

Let Molar Mass = M.
(Mass of S / Total Mass) × 100 = 3.2
(32 / M) × 100 = 3.2
M = (32 × 100) / 3.2
Ans: 1000 g/mol
Q7. Concentration Conversion

Calculate the molality of 3 M solution of NaCl. The density of the solution is 1.25 g/mL. (Molar mass NaCl = 58.5).

Solution:
Consider 1 L (1000 mL) solution.
Moles Solute = 3 mol.
Mass Solute = 3 × 58.5 = 175.5 g.

Mass Solution = Volume × Density = 1000 × 1.25 = 1250 g.
Mass Solvent = Mass Solution - Mass Solute
= 1250 - 175.5 = 1074.5 g = 1.0745 kg.

Molality (m) = Moles / Mass Solvent(kg)
m = 3 / 1.0745
Ans: 2.79 m
Q8. Mole Fraction to Molality

The mole fraction of a solute in an aqueous solution is 0.2. Calculate the molality of the solution.

Solution:
Given xsolute = 0.2.
So, xsolvent (water) = 1 - 0.2 = 0.8.

Ratio of moles: nsolute / nsolvent = 0.2 / 0.8 = 1 / 4.
Let nsolute = 1 mol, nsolvent = 4 mol.

Mass Solvent (Water) = 4 mol × 18 g/mol = 72 g = 0.072 kg.

Molality = Moles Solute / Mass Solvent(kg)
m = 1 / 0.072
Ans: 13.88 m
Q9. Isotope Calculation

Boron has two stable isotopes, 10B (19%) and 11B (81%). Calculate the average atomic mass of Boron in the periodic table.

Solution:
Avg Mass = (a1m1 + a2m2) / 100
= (19 × 10 + 81 × 11) / 100
= (190 + 891) / 100
= 1081 / 100
Ans: 10.81 u
Q10. V.D. Calculation

The vapor density of a mixture containing NO2 and N2O4 is 27.6. Calculate the mole fraction of NO2 in the mixture.

Solution:
Molar Mass of Mixture = 2 × V.D. = 2 × 27.6 = 55.2 g/mol.
Molar Mass NO2 = 46 g/mol.
Molar Mass N2O4 = 92 g/mol.

Let mole fraction of NO2 = x.
x(46) + (1-x)(92) = 55.2
46x + 92 - 92x = 55.2
92 - 55.2 = 46x
36.8 = 46x
x = 36.8 / 46
Ans: 0.8

Important Formulae

1. The Mole Calculation (n)

From Mass:

n = Given Mass (w) / Molar Mass (M)

From Number of Particles (N):

n = N / NA

(NA = 6.022 × 1023)

From Volume of Gas (at STP):

n = Vol (L) / 22.4   or   Vol (mL) / 22400
2. Concentration Terms

Molarity (M):

M = nsolute / Vsol(L)

Molality (m):

m = nsolute / Masssolvent(kg)

Mass Percent (% w/w):

% = (Masssolute / Masssolution) × 100
3. Dilution & Mixing Laws

Dilution Formula:

M1V1 = M2V2

Mixing of Solutions (Same solute):

Mmix = (M1V1 + M2V2) / (V1 + V2)
4. Average Atomic Mass

For isotopes with abundance % a and b:

Avg. Mass = (aA1 + bA2) / (a + b)
5. Relation: M and m
m = (1000 × M) / (1000d - M × Msolute)

d = Density of solution (g/mL)
Msolute = Molar Mass of solute

20 Golden Facts (NEET)

  • 1. STP Conditions: Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP) implies T = 273.15 K (0°C) and P = 1 bar. Molar volume of ideal gas = 22.7 L (Modern) or 22.4 L (Old convention, often used in exams).
  • 2. Limiting Reagent: The reactant which is completely consumed determines the amount of product. Always convert given amounts to moles and divide by stoichiometric coefficient to find LR.
  • 3. Temperature Dependence: Molarity (M), Normality (N), and % w/V change with temperature (Volume expands). Molality (m), Mole Fraction (x), and % w/w are independent of Temperature.
  • 4. 1 amu (u): Defined as 1/12th of the mass of one C-12 atom. 1 amu = 1.66 × 10-24 g. It is the reciprocal of Avogadro's Number.
  • 5. Dulong and Petit's Law: For solid elements, Atomic Mass × Specific Heat ≈ 6.4. Used to find approximate atomic mass.
  • 6. Water Density: For water, 1 g = 1 mL (approx). Therefore, Molarity ≈ Molality for very dilute aqueous solutions.
  • 7. Vapor Density: V.D. = Molar Mass / 2. This relation is valid for gases. It helps to find molecular mass from vapor density.
  • 8. Law of Multiple Proportions: Explains formation of oxides like N2O, NO, NO2, N2O5. Fixed mass of N combines with variable masses of O in simple ratio.
  • 9. Mass of 1 atom: To find mass of a single atom, divide Atomic Mass by NA. (e.g., Mass of 1 atom of C = 12 / 6.022×1023 g).
  • 10. Stoichiometric Coefficients: They represent the MOLE ratio, not the mass ratio. (e.g., 2H2 + O2 means 2 moles H2 react with 1 mole O2).
  • 11. Parts Per Million (ppm): Used for very dilute concentrations (e.g., pollutants). ppm = (Mass of solute / Mass of solution) × 106.
  • 12. Empirical Formula: It represents the simplest whole number ratio of atoms. Molecular Formula = n × Empirical Formula, where n = (Molar Mass / Empirical Mass).
  • 13. Isotopes: Cl exists as Cl-35 (75%) and Cl-37 (25%). This explains why atomic mass of Chlorine is 35.5 (Fractional).
  • 14. Number of Atoms: Max number of atoms is present in the sample which has the least atomic mass for the same given weight (since n = w/M, smaller M gives larger n).
  • 15. Law of Reciprocal Proportions: Example: H2S, SO2, and H2O. (Ratio of S and O reacting with fixed H).
  • 16. Molarity of Pure Water: 1 L water = 1000 g. Moles = 1000/18 = 55.55 mol. So, Molarity = 55.55 M.
  • 17. Loschmidt Number: The number of molecules present in 1 mL of a gas at STP. (2.68 × 1019).
  • 18. Specific Gravity: Another name for relative density. For liquids/solids, Sp. Gr = Density (g/mL).
  • 19. Concentration of Ions: Molarity of ions = Molarity of Salt × Number of ions per formula unit. (e.g., in 1M AlCl3, [Cl-] = 3 M).
  • 20. Significant Figures: In addition/subtraction, result has same decimal places as the term with least decimal places. In multiplication/division, result has same sig figs as term with least sig figs.
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