A LEVEL CHEMISTRY

MATHS SKILLS

WORKBOOK
 A LEVEL CHEMISTRY MATHS SKILLS

• Recap from GCSE giving maths skills needed for A Level Chemistry.
• Read through the attached notes to support the tasks on either Isaac Chemistry or a worksheet (attached at
the end of the booklet).
• Isaac Chemistry self marking, worksheet mark schemes attached.

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worked examples are given in the booklet

Topic
1. General maths skills;
a) Standard form and significant figures Isaac Chemistry B1
b) Unit and volume conversions Isaac Chemistry B2
c) Rearranging equations Worksheet
d) Empirical formula (not covered at GCSE) Isaac Chemistry A1

2. Mole and Avagadro

a) Avagadro constant Worksheet
b) Gases Isaac Chemistry B3
c) Solids Isaac Chemistry B4
d) Solutions Isaac Chemistry B5
e) Reacting masses Isaac Chemistry B6

3. Density

4. % calculations
a) % yield/atom economy Worksheet
b) % uncertainty
5. Graphs – drawing tangents Worksheet
1. General Maths Skills

1a) Standard form (removing zeros)

A x 10 n Number of places the

Number
decimal point would have
between
to move if the number was
1 and 10
written in full

Eg. 602 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 = 6.02 x 1023

0.000 000 000 010 0 = 1.00 x 10-14

Significant figures

Give your answers to the same number of significant figures as given in the question. The standard is 3 significant
figures. Exception; Relative atomic mass is always 1 dp. Ensure you do not round in a calculation until the very last
number.

• Start counting from the 1st non-zero digit eg. 0.000701 is to 3 sig figs
• Stop counting at the last non-zero digit (or last digit after decimal place)
o eg. 187.23 5 sig figs
o 9.005 4 sig figs
o 448000g 3 sig figs
o 159.0 4 sig figs

1b). Units and volume conversions

When identifying the values to use in equations, the new specification has significantly expanded the maths skills
required at A level. This necessitates a confidence in substituting numbers based on their units only.

Eg Calculate the mass, in kg, of a single 52Cr+ ion. Assume that the mass of a 52Cr+ ion is the same as that of a 52Cr
atom. (The Avogadro constant L = 6.022 x 1023 mol−1 )

Mass = mole x Mr
= 1 x 52
23
6.022 x 10 10000

All students must know which volume unit is required in a calculation and be able to convert between them.

cm3 dm3 m3

1x101 1x101 1x 101

1 1000 1000,000

1c) Rearranging equations

Mole = mass
Mr
Solve for mass;
To remove Mr, X both sides by Mr (equation so must do same for both sides) so that it will cancel
Mr x Mole = mass x Mr
Mr
Mass = Mr x Mole
 Solve for Mr;
To get Mr as numerator, X both sides by Mr (equation so must do same for both sides)
Mr x Mole = mass x Mr
Mr
Mr x Mole = mass
To remove moles, both sides by moles
Mr x Mole = mass
Mole Mole

Mr = mass
Mole

1d) Empirical formula

Calculating from given masses;

A sample of titanium oxide was analysed and found to contain 0.958g of titanium and 0.640g of oxygen. Calculate
the empirical formula of the compound (Ar Ti=47.9, O=16.0)

Always lay out in the same way;

Ti O
1. Mass (info given) 0.958g 0.64g
2. Ar 47.9 16
3. Moles (mass/Ar) 0.02 0.04
4. Molar ratio (divide smallest into rest) 0.02/0.02 = 1 0.04/0.02 = 2

Therefore ratio of 1xTi atom for every 2xO atom = EF = TiO2 (note – frequent error writing as Ti2O)

Calculating from given percentages;

A sample had 20.2% magnesium, 26.7% sulphur and 53.1% oxygen. Calculate the empirical formula of the
compound (Ar Mg=24.3, S=32.10, 0=16.0)

Mg S O
1. Mass 20.2 26.7 53.1
2. Ar 24.3 26.7 16.0
3. Moles (mass/Ar) 0.831 0.832 3.319
4. Molar ratio 0.831/0.831 = 1 0.832/0.831 = 1 3.319/0.831 = 4

Therefore EF = MgSO4
2. Mole and Avagadro

2a) Avagadro constant (worksheet)

• Relative atomic mass is the mass of an atom relative to an atom of Carbon 12

ie an atom of Magnesium with Mr of 24 is twice as heavy as an atom of C12
• Because of the stoichiometric relationship between atoms, molecules and compounds in a balanced
equation, this was expanded to say 1 mole of a substance (in g) has the same number of particles (6.02 x
1023) as atoms in 12g of C12. 6.02 x 1023 is Avagadro’s constant
ie 1 mole of Mg = 24g, 1 mole of C=12g and they both have 6.02 x 1023 particles
• I mole of any entity contains 6.02 x 1023 of that entity ie. 1 mole of carbon dioxide molecules will contain
6.02 x 1023 molecules, 1 mole of electrons contains 6.02 x 1023 electons

Number of particles = amount of substance (in moles) x Avagadro’s constant

2b) Gases

Equal volumes of gases measured under the same conditions of temperature and pressure contain equal numbers of
molecules (or atoms if the gas is monatomic)

1 mole of any gas at room pressure (1atm) and room temp (25oC) will have the volume of 24 dm3

Eg. If 500cm3 of methane is burn at 1atm and 300K what volume of oxygen would be needed and what volume of
CO2 would be given off?

CH4 (g) + 2O2 (g) àCO2 (g) + 2H2O (l)

500 cm3 of CH4 react with (500x2) 1,000 cm3(1 dm3)of O2

Ratio CH4:CO2 1:1 so 500 cm3 of CO2 produced

For gases – Moles (mol) = vol/1000 (cm3 )

24 (dm3)

2c) Solids
For solids and gases – Moles (mol) = mass (m)
Mr (relative atomic mass, no units)

eg. What is the number of moles in 35.0g of CuSO4?

Moles = mass/Mr
= 35.0/(63.5+32+16x4)
= 0.219 moles

2d) Solutions
For solutions - Moles (mol) = Conc (mol dm-3 or M) x volume (dm3)

Conc (in g dm-3 ) = conc (n mol dm-3) x Mr

eg 1. What is the concentration of solution made by dissolving 5.00g of Na2CO3 in 250 water?

Moles = mass/Mr
= 5.00/(23x2+12+16x3)
= 0.0472 mol

Conc = moles/volume
= 0.0472/0.25
= 0.189 mol dm-3

2. How many chloride ions are there in a 25cm3 solution of magnesium chloride of concentration 0.400 mol dm-3

Moles = conc x volume

= 0.40 x 0.025
= 0.01 mol

2 moles of chloride ions for every mole of MgCl2

Ions of Cl = moles x 6.02 x 1023

= 0.02 x 6.02 x 1023
= 1.20 x 1022 (3 sig figs)

2e) Reacting masses

N2 + 3H2 à 2NH3

The balancing (stoichiometric) numbers are mole ratios eg I mole of N2 reacts with 3 moles of H2 to produce 2 moles
of NH3.

Typically, you are given a quantity of one substance and asked to work out a quantity for another substance in the
reaction.

The steps to follow are;

• Work out the number of moles of the quantity given
• Use moles of initial substance in equation to get moles of 2nd substance
• Convert moles of 2nd substance into quantity wanted eg mass, concentration, volume of gas.

Eg. What mass of copper would react completely with 150 of 1.60M nitric acid?

3Cu + 8HNO3 à 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O

1. Moles of nitric acid

Moles = conc x vol
= 1.6 x 0.15 = 0.24mol
2. From the equation, 8:3 ration nitric acid:copper
So 0.09mol of Cu

3. Mass Cu = moles x Mr
= 0.09 x 63.5 = 5.71g
3. Density

Density = mass
volume

Density is usually g cm-3, Mass in g and Volume in cm-3 however use the data given to identify if different units are
required.

Eg. How many molecules of ethanol are there in a 0.500 dm3, of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) liquid? The density of ethanol
is 0.7879 g cm-3

Mass = density x volume

= 0.789 x 500
= 394.5g

Moles = mass/Mr
= 394.5/46.0
= 8.576 mol

Molecules = mol x 6.02 x 1023

= 8.576 x 6.02 x 1023
= 5.16 x 1023 (3 sig fig)
4. % Calculations

4a) % yield and atom economy

% yield = actual yield x 100

theoretical yield

atom economy = mass of useful products x 100

mass of all reactants

Do take account balancing numbers when working out % atom economy

1. What is the % atom economy for the following reaction where Fe is the desired product assuming the reaction
goes to completion?

Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2

% atom economy = (2x55.8) x 100 = 45.8%

(2x55.8+3X16) +3x(12+16)

2. 25.0g of Fe2O3 was reacted and it produced 10.0g of Fe. What is the percentage yeild?
Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2

a) Maximum mass of Fe that could be produced;

Moles = mass/Mr
= 25.0/159.6 = 0.1566 mole

b) 1mole Fe2O3 : 2 moles Fe

0.1566 Fe2O3 : 0.313 moles Fe

c) Mass of Fe
Mass = molesxMr
= 0.313x55.8 = 17.5g

d) % yield = actual yield/theoretical yield) x 100

= (10/17.5) x 100 = 57.1%

4b) % uncertainty

With using any piece of equipment there is an uncertainty of +/- 0.5 of the smallest scale reading.

% uncertainty = uncertainty x 100

Measurement made on apparatus

If more than 1 reading is taken, the uncertainty increases accordingly.

1. What is the % uncertainty when 25cm3 of a liquid was measured using a pipette with an uncertainty of +/- 0.1
cm3?

% uncertainty = 0.1/25 x 100 = 0.4%

2. 2 concordant titres of 25.5 cm and 25 were taken giving an average titre of 25.25. If the uncertainty of the
burette is +/- 0.15 cm3 , what is the % uncertainty?

% uncertainty = 0.15x2/25.25 x 100 = 1.19%

To reduce the uncertainty either;

• replace a measuring cylinder with pipettes or burettes with lower apparatus uncertainty ie decrease the
numerator
• increase the titre ie increase the denominator. For a titration; increase the volume and concentration of the
substance in the conical flask or decrease the concentration of the substance in the burette
• use a more accurate balance or a larger mass when weighing a solid

If the % uncertainty due to the apparatus < % difference between the actual value and the calculated value then
there is a discrepancy in the result due to experimental errors

If the % uncertainty due to the apparatus > % difference between the actual value and the calculated value then
there is no discrepancy and all errors are due to sensitivity of the equipment
 5. Graphs – drawing tangents

For linear graphs the gradient is constant. It never changes. For a curve, the gradient changes as you move along
the graph. It could get bigger/smaller, or it could change from positive to negative.

For calculating rates, we need to be able to calculate the gradient at a specific point.

eg. this curve has a positive correlation (goes from low value to high value, left to right) so has a positive gradient
5

4.5

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
-5 -4.5 -4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5
-0.5

-1

This curve has an alternative positive correlation/gradient then negative correlation/gradient.

1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
95 -450 -405 -360 -315 -270 -225 -180 -135 -90 -45 0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360 405 450 495
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1

-1.2

Calculating a gradient

1. Draw a straight line at the point you wish to draw a tangent parallel to the line
2. Calculate the gradient by m= change in y
change in x
3. Note the ‘triangle’ that you use for the values can be as big or as small as you wish. However use values that are
easy to read off the graph. Tangent at 2,2;

m= (3-0) = 3 = 0.75
3.5-(-0.5) 4

4.5

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
-5 -4.5 -4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5
-0.5

-1
 Tangent at 0, -3

m= -4-1 = -5 = 1.67
0.5-(-2.5) 3

0
-4.5 -4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7
-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

-6
 Worksheet 1c); Rearranging Equations

Density

Density = m / V

Density (g/cm³) = mass (g) / volume (cm³)

Temperature

°F = (9/5 x °C) + 32

Molar equation

n = m / Mr

Number of moles = mass (grams) / molecular weight

Mr of; water = 18, carbon dioxide = 44,

Ideal Gas Law

pV = nRT

Pressure (kilopascals) x volume (m3) = number of moles x gas constant (8.31) x absolute temperature
(kelvin)

Room temp = 298 K

Equations of Motion

Where;
s = the distance travelled (m)
u = the initial velocity (m/s)
v = the final velocity (m/s)
a = acceleration (m/s2)
t = time taken (s)
Questions
In your workings, rearrange the formula then calculate the answer.

1. Lead has a density of 11.34 g/cm³. How much will a cubic metre of lead weigh, in kilograms?

2. Balsa wood has a density of 0.17 g/cm³. If I have a block that weighs 1kg, what volume does it have?

3. Normal body temperature is about 98°F. How much is this in Celsius?

4. Absolute zero temperature occurs at -459.67°F. How much is this in Celsius?

5. In 2007 the UK’s carbon dioxide emission in moles was 1.226 x 1013. How many metric tons does this
represent? (One tonne = 1000kg)
How many moles of hydrogen gas are in a 3.1 m3 sample measured at 300 kPa, which is kept at room
temperature?

6. A 0.5 m3 container holds 0.05 moles of O2 at room temperature. What pressure does the gas exert on
the inside of the container?

7. A cyclist accelerates from 3 m/s to 5m/s taking him 10 seconds to do so. What is his acceleration?

8. A F1 car accelerates in a straight line for 200m, which takes 4 seconds. If it’s initial speed was 30 m/s
how fast was it travelling at the end of the straight?

9. A ball is dropped from the leaning tower of Pisa, at a height of 50m from the ground. The ball is dropped
from rest and falls freely under gravity. How long will it be before the ball hits the ground? (Gravity causes
acceleration of 9.8 m/s2)
 Worksheet 2a); Avagadro Constant (L=6.022x1023 mol-1)

1. Calculate the number of atoms in

a) 1.00 mole of lithium
b) 1.00 mole of tungsten
c) 1.00 mole of aluminium
give your answer to 3 significant figures

2. Calculate the number of atoms in

a) 0.10 moles of carbon
b) 2.50 moles of sulfur
c) 0.75 moles of magnesium
give your answer to 3 significant figures

3. Calculate the number of particles in

a) 1.00 mole of sodium ions
b) 1.00 mole of nitrogen molecules
c) 1.00 mole of magnesium ions
give your answer to 3 significant figures

4. Calculate the number of particles in

a) 2.00 moles of electrons
b) 1.50 mole of oxide ions
c) 0.20 moles of lithium ions

5. Calculate the number of particles in 48.6g of magnesium atoms

6. Calculate the mass, in kg, of one atom of 49Ti. The avagadro constant L=6.022x1023 mol-1
 Worksheet 4a) Percentage yield and atom economy

1. Calculate the percentage yield of a reaction that has a theoretical yield of 4.75 moles of product and an
actual yield of 3.19 moles of product. Give you answer to three significant figures.

2. Calculate the percentage yield of a reaction that has a theoretical yield of 3.00 moles of product and an
actual yield of 2.75 moles of product. Give you answer to three significant figures.

3. Calculate the percentage yield of a reaction that has a theoretical yield of 12.00 moles of product and an
actual yield of 6.25 moles of product. Give you answer to three significant figures.

The following have a reactant in excess and a limiting reagent. The limiting reagent will be used up first.

4. An excess of zinc is added to 25.0cm3 of 1.0 mol dm-3 iron(I) sulfate solution.

Zn(s) + FeSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Fe(s)

1.16g of iron is produced. Calculate the percentage yield for this reaction.

5. An excess of magnesium is added to 50.0cm3 of 1.0mol dm-3 aqueous hydrochloric acid solution.

Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

0.953g of magnesium chloride is produced. Calculate the percentage yield for this reaction.

6. An excess of magnesium is added to 100.0cm3 of 0.5mol dm-3 iron(I) sulfate solution.

Mg(s) + FeSO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + Fe(s)

0.558g of iron is produced. Calculate the percentage yield for this reaction.

Atom Economy

1. A chemist added chlorine to ethene to produce 1,2-dichloroethane.

CH2CH2 + Cl2 → CH2ClCH2Cl
Determine the % atom economy of this reaction. The molar mass of 1, 2-dichlorethane = 99.0g mol-1

2. A chemist adds bromine to propene to produce 1,2-dibromopropane.

Br2 + CH3CHCH2 → CH3CHBrCH2Br
Determine the % atom economy of this reaction. The molar mass of 1,2-dibromopropane = 201.8g mol-1

3. A student prepares a sample of the ester ethyl ethanoate by reacting ethanol and ethanoic acid.
C2H5OH + CH3COOH → CH3COOC2H5 + H2O

The molar mass of ethyl ethanoate = 88.0 g mol-1, water = 18.0 mol-1. Determine the % atom economy of
this reaction. Give your answer to three significant figures.

4. A chemist prepares a sample of propan-1-ol by reacting 1-chloropropane with sodium hydroxide

solution.
CH3CH2CH2Cl + NaOH → CH3CH2CH2OH + NaCl
Determine the % atom economy of this reaction. Give your answer to three significant figures.

5. A chemist prepares a sample of ethanol by reacting sodium hydroxide solution with bromoethane.
CH3CH2Br + NaOH → CH3CH2OH + NaBr
Determine the % atom economy of this reaction. Give your answer to three significant figures.
 10

5. Gradients of tangents 9
1.
Gradient of tangent at 8
a) ( 2, 2 )
7
…………………………

b) ( -1, 0.5 ) 6
…………………………
5
c) ( 3, 4.5 )

………………………… 4
d) ( -3.5, 6 )
3
…………………………

1
18
0
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
16
0 1 2 3 4 5
2. -1
Gradient of tangent at 14

a) ( -3, 0 ) -2
12
…………………………
10
b) ( 10, 13 )
8
…………………………

c) ( 5, 0 ) 6

…………………………
4
d) ( -8, 13 )
2
…………………………
0
-18 -16 -14 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
-2

-4

-6

-8
 Answers to Worksheets

1c) Answers

Lead has a density of 11.34 g/cm³. How much will a cubic metre of lead weigh, in kilograms? 11,340 kg

Balsa wood has a density of 0.17 g/cm³. If I have a block that weighs 1kg, what volume does it have?
5882cm³.

Normal body temperature is about 98°F. How much is this in Celsius? 37°C

Absolute zero temperature occurs at -459.67°F. How much is this in Celsius?

-273.15°C

In 2007 the UK’s carbon dioxide emission in moles was 1.226 x 1013. How many metric tons does this
represent? (One tonne = 1000kg) 539,440,000

How many moles of hydrogen gas are in a 3.1 m3 sample measured at 300 kPa, which is kept at room
temperature? 0.82

A 0.5 m3 container holds 0.05 moles of O2 at room temperature. What pressure does the gas exert on the
inside of the container? 114 kPa

A cyclist accelerates from 3 m/s to 5m/s taking him 10 seconds to do so. What is his acceleration? 0.2
m/s2

A F1 car accelerates in a straight line for 200m, which takes 4 seconds. If it’s initial speed was 30 m/s how
fast was it travelling at the end of the straight? 70 m/s

A ball is dropped from the leaning tower of Pisa, at a height of 50m from the ground. The ball is dropped
from rest and falls freely under gravity. How long will it be before the ball hits the ground? (Gravity causes
acceleration of 9.8 m/s2) 3.19s

2a) Avogadro constant Answers

1 a 6.023 x 1023
b 6.023 x 1023
c 6.02 3 x 1023

2 a 6.02 3 x 1022
b 1.51 3 x 1024
c 4.52 3 x 1024

3 a 6.02 3 x 1023
b 6.02 3 x 1023
c 6.02 3 x 1023

4 a 1.204 3 x 1024
b 9.03 3 x 1023
c 1.204 3 x 1023

5 1.204 3 x 1024

6 mol = mass/Mr
Mass (g) = mol x Mr

= 49 x 1/6.023 x 1023
=
8.135 x 10-23
=
mass (kg) 8.135 x 10-26

4a) Percentage yields answers

1 67.2%
2 91.7%
3 52.1%
4 80%
5 40%
6 20%

Atom economy Answers

1 100%
2 100%
3 83.0%
4 50.6%
5 30.9%

5 Gradient Answers