CHAPTER 3

STOICHIOMETRY:
CALCULATIONS WITH CHEMICAL
FORMULAS AND EQUATIONS
Chemistry, The Central Science, 11th edition
Theodore L. Brown, H. Eugene LeMay, Jr., and Bruce E. Bursten

PART 2
FINDING EMPIRICAL
FORMULAS
 Empirical and Molecular Formulas

The empirical formula is the simplest formula for a

compound that agrees with the elemental analysis. It
shows the lowest whole number of moles and gives the
relative number of atoms of each element present.
The empirical formula for hydrogen peroxide is HO.

The molecular formula shows the actual number of

atoms of each element in a molecule of the compound.
The molecular formula for hydrogen peroxide is H2O2.
CALCULATING EMPIRICAL FORMULAS

One can calculate the empirical formula from the percent composition.

©2009, Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Sample Problem 1 A sample of an unknown compound contains 0.21 mol of zinc, 0.14 mol of
phosphorus, and 0.56 mol of oxygen. What is its empirical formula?
SOLUTION:
1. Using the numbers of moles of each element given, we write the preliminary formula Zn0.21P0.14O0.56

2. Next we divide each fraction by the smallest one; in this case 0.14:
0.21 0.14 0.56
= 1.5 = 1.0 = 4.0
0.14 0.14 0.14
If any of the ratios is not a
This gives Zn1.5P1.0O4.0 whole number, multiply all the
ratios by a factor to make it a
3. We convert to whole numbers by multiplying by the smallest integer whole number
that gives whole numbers; in this case 2: If ratio is
1.5 x 2 = 3 1.0 x 2 = 2 4.0 x 2 = 8 • x.5 then multiply by 2;
• x.33 or x.67 multiply by 3;
This gives us the empirical formula Zn3P2O8 • x.25 or x.75 multiply by 4
 Sample Problem 2 Determining an Empirical Formula from
Masses of Elements

PROBLEM: Analysis of a sample of an ionic compound yields 2.82 g

of Na, 4.35 g of Cl, and 7.83 g of O. What is the empirical
formula and the name of the compound?
PLAN: Find the relative number of moles of each element. Divide by
the lowest mol amount to find the relative mol ratios (empirical
formula).
mass (g) of each element
divide by M (g/mol)

amount (mol) of each element

use # of moles as subscripts
preliminary formula
change to integer subscripts
empirical formula
 Analysis of a sample of an ionic compound yields 2.82 g of Na, 4.35 g of Cl,
Sample Problem 2 and 7.83 g of O. What is the empirical formula and the name of the
compound?

SOLUTION: 1 mol Na
2.82 g Na x = 0.123 mol Na
22.99 g Na
Find the relative
number of moles
4.35 g Cl x 1 mol Cl = 0.123 mol Cl
of each element.
35.45 g Cl

7.83 g O x 1 mol O = 0.489 mol O

16.00 g O
Next we divide
each fraction by 0.123 0.489
Na and Cl = = 1 and O = = 3.98
the smallest 0.123 0.123
one.
The empirical formula is Na1Cl1O3.98 or NaClO4;
this compound is named sodium perchlorate.
 Determining the Molecular Formula

The molecular formula gives the actual numbers of

moles of each element present in 1 mol of compound.
The molecular formula is a whole-number multiple
of the empirical formula.

molar mass (g/mol)

= whole-number multiple
empirical formula mass (g/mol)
 Sample Problem 3 Determining a Molecular Formula from
Elemental Analysis and Molar Mass
PROBLEM: Elemental analysis of lactic acid (M = 90.08 g/mol) shows it
contains 40.0 mass % C, 6.71 mass % H, and 53.3 mass %
O. Determine the empirical formula and the molecular formula
for lactic acid.

PLAN: assume 100 g lactic acid; then mass % = mass in grams

divide each mass by M

amount (mol) of each element

use # mols as subscripts; convert to integers
empirical formula
divide M by the molar mass for the empirical
formula; multiply empirical formula by this number

molecular formula
Sample Elemental analysis of lactic acid (M = 90.08 g/mol) shows it contains 40.0 mass % C,
Problem 3 6.71 mass % H, and 53.3 mass % O. Determine the empirical formula and the molecular
formula for lactic acid.
SOLUTION: Assuming there are 100. g of lactic acid;

Find the relative 1 mol C

40.0 g C x 6.71 g H x 1 mol H 53.3 g O x 1 mol O
number of moles
of each element.
12.01 g C 1.008 g H 16.00 g O
= 3.33 mol C = 6.66 mol H = 3.33 mol O

Next we divide
each fraction by C3.33 H6.66 O3.33
CH2O empirical formula
the smallest one. 3.33 3.33 3.33

Divide given mass by the

MM for the empirical molar mass of lactate 90.08 g/mol
=3
formula; multiply 30.03 g/mol
mass of CH2O
empirical formula by this
number
C3H6O3 is the
molecular formula
COMBUSTION ANALYSIS

• Compounds containing C, H and O are routinely analyzed through

combustion in a chamber like this.
• C is determined from the mass of CO2 produced.
• H is determined from the mass of H2O produced.
• O is determined by difference after the C and H have been determined.
Sample Problem 4 Determining a Molecular Formula from
Combustion Analysis
PROBLEM:
When a 1.000 g sample of vitamin C (M = 176.12 g/mol) is placed
in a combustion chamber and burned, the following data are
obtained:
mass of CO2 absorber after combustion = 85.35 g
mass of CO2 absorber before combustion = 83.85 g
mass of H2O absorber after combustion = 37.96 g
mass of H2O absorber before combustion = 37.55 g

What is the molecular formula of vitamin C?

PLAN: The masses of CO2 and H2O produced will give us the
masses of C and H present in the original sample. From
this we can determine the mass of O.
Sample When a 1.000 g sample of vitamin C (M = 176.12 g/mol) is placed in a combustion
Problem 4 chamber and burned, the following data are obtained:
mass of CO2 absorber after combustion = 85.35 g
mass of CO2 absorber before combustion = 83.85 g
mass of H2O absorber after combustion = 37.96 g
mass of H2O absorber before combustion = 37.55 g
What is the molecular formula of vitamin C?

SOLUTION: Calculate mass of each element.

For CO2: 85.35 g - 83.85 g = 1.50 g CO2 For H2O: 37.96 g - 37.55 g = 0.41 g
2H in H2O
1.50 g CO2 x 12.01 g C = 0.409 g C 2.016 g H
44.01 g CO2 0.41 g H2O x = 0.046 g H
18.02 g H2O

For O2 mass of O = mass of vitamin C – (mass of C + mass of H)

= 1.000 g - (0.409 + 0.046) g = 0.545 g O
Sample Problem 4
Convert mass to moles:
0.409 g C 0.046 g H
= 0.0341 mol C = 0.0456 mol H
12.01 g/mol C 1.008 g/mol H
0.545 g O
= 0.0341 mol O
16.00 g/mol O

Divide by smallest to get the preliminary formula:

0.0341 0.0456 0.0341
C =1 H = 1.34 O =1
0.0341 0.0341 0.0341
C1H1.34O1 = C3H4.01O3 C3H4O3

Divide molar mass by mass of empirical formula:

176.12 g/mol (C3H4O3)2 C6H8O6
= 2.000 mol
88.06 g
Table 3.2 Some Compounds with Empirical Formula CH2O
(Composition by Mass: 40.0% C, 6.71% H, 53.3% O)

Molecular Whole-Number M
Name Formula Multiple (g/mol) Use or Function

formaldehyde CH2O 1 30.03 disinfectant; biological preservative

acetic acid C2H4O2 2 60.05 acetate polymers; vinegar (5% soln)

lactic acid C3H6O3 3 90.09 sour milk; forms in exercising muscle

erythrose C4H8O4 4 120.10 part of sugar metabolism

ribose C5H10O5 5 150.13 component of nucleic acids and B2

glucose C6H12O6 6 180.16 major energy source of the cell

CH2O C2H4O2 C3H6O3 C4H8O4 C5H10O5 C6H12O6

Q Determine the empirical formula of acetic anhydride if its percent
composition is 47% carbon, 47% oxygen and 6.0% hydrogen
Convert the grams to moles

1 mol C 1 mol H 1 mol O

47g C  = 3.9 mol C 6.0 g H  = 6.0 mol H 47 g O  = 2.9 mol O
12.01g 1.008g 16.00g
Divide each by the smallest number of moles

3.9 mol C  2.9 = 1.3 6.0 mol H  2.9 = 2 2.9 mol O  2.9 = 1
Multiply all the ratios by 3 because C is 1.3

3.9 mol C  2.9 = 1.3 x 3 = 4 6.0 mol H  2.9 = 2 x 3 = 6 2.9 mol O  2.9 = 1 x 3 = 3
Use the ratios as the subscripts in the empirical formula

C4H6O3
STOICHIOMETRY
STOICHIOMETRY

Stoichiometry - Using the mole ratio to relate the moles of

one compound to the moles of another compound
STOICHIOMETRIC CALCULATIONS

The coefficients in the balanced equation give the ratio

of moles of reactants and products.
 Guidelines for Reaction Stoichiometry

• Write the balanced equation.

• Calculate the number of moles of the species for which the mass is
given.
• Use the coefficients in the equation to convert the moles of the
given substance into moles of the substance desired.
• Calculate the mass of the desired species.
 STOICHIOMETRIC CALCULATIONS
Q1. How many mole of hydrogen are necessary to react with 2 moles of
oxygen in order to produce exactly 4 moles of water?
2 H2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2 H2O (g)

2 mol O2 (2 moles H2 / 1 mole O2) = 4 mole H2

Stoichiometric Calculations
Q2. How many moles of hydrogen are necessary to react with 15.0 g of
oxygen? 2 H (g) + O (g) → 2 H O (g)
2 2 2

15.0g O2 (1 mole O2 ) ( 2 mole H2) = 0.938 moles H2

32.0 g 1 mole O
2
Stoichiometric Calculations
Q3. How many grams of hydrogen are necessary to react with 15.0 g of
oxygen?
2 H2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2 H2O (g)

=15.0g O2 (1 mole O2 ) ( 2 mole H2) ( 2.016 g H2) = 1.89 g H2

32.0 g 1 mole O 1 mole H
2 2
STOICHIOMETRIC CALCULATIONS

Starting with the mass

of Substance A you can
use the ratio of the
coefficients of A and B
to calculate the mass
of Substance B formed
(if it’s a product) or
used (if it’s a reactant).
Q4. During the process of roasting copper(I) sulfide, how many grams of sulfur dioxide
form when 10.0 mol of copper(I) sulfide reacts?

2 Cu2S (s) + 3 O2 (g) → 2 Cu2O (s) + 2 SO2 (g)

10.0 mol Cu2S x 2 mol SO2 x 64.07 g SO2

= 641 g SO2
2 mol Cu2S 1 mol SO2
Practice Problems
2 3 3
2 2
STOICHIOMETRIC CALCULATIONS
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O

Starting with 1.00 g of C6H12O6…

we calculate the moles of C6H12O6…
use the coefficients to find the moles of H2O…
and then turn the moles of water to grams.
LIMITING
REACTANTS
Making a Burger

Product
LIMITING REACTANTS
Limiting reactant - the reactant that is used up first in a reaction (limits the
amount of product produced)
• In other words, it’s the reactant you’ll run out of first (in this case, the H2).

Excess reactant - the one that is left over

Industry often makes the more expensive reactant the limiting one to ensure its
complete conversion into products
LIMITING REACTANT

• How do you identify a limiting reactant problem?

Example:
If 5.0 moles of hydrogen react with 5.0 moles of oxygen, how many moles of water can
be produced?
Notice: both reactant amounts are given and a product amount is requested
STEPS FOR SUCCESS

• Step 1: Write a balanced equation

• Step 2: Identify the limiting reactant
• Must compare in terms of moles
• Step 3: Use a mole ratio to desired substance
• Step 4: Convert to desired units
Sample Problem 1a LIMITING REACTANTS
Sodium metal reacts with oxygen to produce sodium oxide. If 5.00 g of
sodium reacted with 5.00 grams of oxygen, how many grams of product is
formed?

Step 1: Write a balanced equation 4 Na (s) + O2(g) → 2 Na2O (s)

Step 2: Identify the limiting reactant Start with what is given, calculate the amount of product that can
be theoretically made but do it twice (once for each reactant)

5.00g Na (1 mole Na) ( 2 mole Na2O)( 62 g Na2O) = 6.74 g of Na2O Correct answer
23 g Na 4 mole Na 1 mol Na O
2

5.00g O2 (1 mole O2) ( 2 mole Na2O)( 62 g Na2O) = 19.38 g of Na2O

32 g O 1 mole O 1 mol Na O
2 2 2

Notice you can not have two different masses produced for the same product in one reaction. So
in this case, Na (sodium) “limits” how much sodium oxide is produced. The correct answer is 6.74
g of sodium oxide.
Sample Problem 1b LIMITING REACTANTS
How much oxygen was used in this reaction and how much of each
reactant was leftover (in excess)?
4 Na (s) + O2(g) → 2 Na2O (s)
There are two methods used to answer this question.

Stoichiometry Law of Conservation of mass

Calculate the amount of O2 used to make 6.74 g of Na2O Mass of product – mass of limiting reactant =
. mass of other reactant
Use the :
5.00g Na (1 mole Na) ( 1 mole O2)( 32 g O2) Mass of product (6.74 g) – mass of limiting
23 g Na 4 mole Na 1 mol O reactant (5.00 g) = mass of other reactant, in
2 this case oxygen (1.74 g).
= 1.74 g of O2 was used

The amount of oxygen (O2) leftover can be calculated by subtracting the starting mass of oxygen
from the used mass. 5.00g – 1.74 g = 3.26 g

The amount of sodium (Na) leftover at the end of the reaction is “0.00 g” (zero), since it was the
limiting reactant and was completely consumed in the reaction.
Sample Problem 2a LIMITING REACTANTS
How many molecules of water are formed when 7.50 grams of hydrogen
gas react with 5.00 grams of oxygen gas?

Step 1: 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(l)

Step 2: 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2𝑂 6.022 × 1023 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐻2𝑂

7.50𝑔 𝐻2 × × × = 2.240 × 1024 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐻2𝑂
2.016𝑔 𝐻2 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2𝑂

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2𝑂 6.022 × 1023 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐻2𝑂

5.00𝑔 𝑂2 × × × = 1.882 × 1024 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐻2𝑂_
32𝑔 𝑂2 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2𝑂
Limiting

You can not have two different amounts produced. So in this case, oxygen “limits” how much water
molecules are produced.

𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 ∶ 𝟏. 𝟖𝟖𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝟐𝐎 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝

Sample Problem 2b LIMITING REACTANTS
How many grams of hydrogen were left in excess?
2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(l)

Given: 7.50 grams of hydrogen reacts with 5.00 grams of oxygen gas

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2 2.016𝑔 𝐻2

5.00𝑔 𝑂2 × × × = 0.63 𝑔 𝐻2 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
32𝑔 𝑂2 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2

Excess = Initial Amount – Reacted amount

= 7.50g – 0.63g
= 6.87 g H2 excess
REACTION YIELD

• Theoretical yield: the maximum amount of product

predicted by stoichiometry
• Actual yield: the amount produced in a laboratory
setting
• Percent yield: a ratio of actual to theoretical yields
(tells efficiency of reaction)
PERCENT YIELD

One finds the percent yield by comparing the amount

actually obtained (actual yield) to the amount it was possible
to make (theoretical yield).

Actual Yield
Percent Yield = x 100
Theoretical Yield
Sample Problem PERCENT YIELD
When a student reacted 3.75 grams of zinc with excess hydrochloric acid, 1.58 grams
of zinc chloride were collected. What is the percent yield for this reaction?

Step 1: Balanced equation

Zn(s) + 2 HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)

Step 2: Calculate theoretical yield

1 mol Zn 1 mol ZnCl2 136.315g ZnCl2

3.75𝑔 𝑍𝑛 × × × = 7.82𝑔 ZnCl2
65.32g Zn 1 mol Zn 1 mol ZnCl2

Step 3: Substitute into formula and solve

1.58 𝑔 𝑍𝑛𝐶𝑙2
× 100% = 20.2 %
7.82𝑔 𝑍𝑛𝐶𝑙2