Stoichiometry problems

There are four basic types of stoichiometry problem involving the mole concept:
n mass–mass
n mass–gas volume
n gas volume–gas volume
n concentration.

■ Mass–mass stoichiometry problems

In a mass–mass stoichiometry problem, you will use a given mass of a reactant or product to
determine an unknown mass of reactant or product.
There are three steps:
1 Convert the mass of the given substance to moles using the molar mass of the given substance.
2 Determine the amount of the required substance using the amount of the given substance and
the coefficients in the balanced equation.
3 Convert the amount of the required substance to a mass using the molar mass of the
required substance.

WORKED EXAMPLE R2.1B

Determine the mass of mercury produced from the decomposition of 0.00125 kg of
mercury(II) oxide.
2HgO(s) → 2Hg(l) + O2(g)

Answer
1 Convert the mass of mercury(II) oxide to the amount of mercury(II) oxide using the
molar mass of mercury(II) oxide (216.59 g mol−1).
12.50 g
amount of mercury(II) oxide = = 0.0577 mol
216.59 g mol−1
2 Determine the amount of mercury using the amount of mercury(II) oxide and the
coefficients in the balanced equation.
amount of mercury = 0.0577 mol
(because the amounts of mercury(II) oxide and mercury are in a 1 : 1 ratio).
3 Convert the amount of mercury to the mass using the molar mass.
mass of mercury = (0.0577 mol × 200.59 g mol−1) = 11.6 g

5 49.00 g of potassium chlorate(V) is heated and decomposes according to the equation:

2KClO3(s) → 2KCl(s) + 3O2(g)

Determine the mass of oxygen formed.

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 ■ Mass–gas volume stoichiometry problems
In a mass–volume stoichiometry problem, you will use a given mass of a reactant or product to
determine an unknown volume of reactant or product.
There are three steps:
1 Convert the mass of the given substance to an amount using the molar mass of the
given substance.
2 Determine the amount of the required substance using the amount of the given substance and
the coefficients in the balanced equation.
3 Convert the amount of the required substance to cubic decimetres (dm3) of gas using the molar
gas volume at STP.

WORKED EXAMPLE R2.1C

Determine the volume of hydrogen gas produced from the reaction between 1.64 g of
aluminium metal and hydrochloric acid. Assume STP.
2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)

Answer
1 Convert the mass of aluminium to the amount of aluminium using the molar mass of
aluminium (26.98 g mol−1).
1.64 g
amount of aluminium (Al) = = 0.0608 mol
26.98 g mol−1
2 Determine the amount of hydrogen using the amount of aluminium and the coefficients
in the balanced equation.
3
amount of hydrogen (H2) = (0.0608 mol × ) = 0.0912 mol
2
(because the amounts (mol) of aluminium and hydrogen are in a 2 : 3 ratio).
3 Convert the amount of hydrogen to cubic decimetres of hydrogen using the molar gas
volume at STP.
volume of hydrogen gas (H2) = (0.0912 mol × 22.7 dm3 mol−1) = 2.07 dm3

6 Determine the volume of carbon dioxide produced from the complete combustion of 17.117 g
of sucrose (M = 342.34 g mol−1). Assume STP.
C12H22O11(s) + 12O2(g) → 12CO2(g) + 11H2O(l)

■ Gas volume–gas volume stoichiometry problems

In a gas volume–gas volume stoichiometry problem, you will use a given volume of a gas to
determine an unknown volume of a gaseous reactant or product.
There is one step:
n Convert the given volume to the unknown volume using the mole ratio (which is also the
volume ratio) from the coefficients in the balanced chemical equation.

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 WORKED EXAMPLE R2.1D
Determine the volume of oxygen gas that reacts with 2.75 dm3 of sulfur dioxide gas to form
sulfur trioxide gas.
2SO2(g) + O2(g) → 2SO3(g)

Answer
From the balanced equation, 1 mole of oxygen molecules reacts with 2 moles of sulfur
dioxide molecules to form 2 moles of sulfur trioxide molecules.
Hence, from Avogadro’s law, 1 dm3 of oxygen molecules reacts with 2 dm3 of sulfur
dioxide molecules to form 2 dm3 of sulfur trioxide molecules.
1
Hence, using ratios, the volume of oxygen gas (O2) = (2.75 dm3 × ) = 1.38 dm3
2

7 When nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) react they

Given Required produce ammonia (NH3). Both reactants and
mass mass products are gases under standard conditions.
÷ molar mass × molar mass a State the balanced equation with state symbols.
Mole b If there is 12.5 dm3 of nitrogen, determine how
moles moles
Ratio much ammonia is produced and what volume of
÷ 22.7 dm3 mol−1 × 22.7 dm3 mol−1 hydrogen is used.
volume volume
of gas at STP of gas at STP Figure R2.3 summarizes how to interconvert between
■ Figure R2.3 Interconversion between masses
masses and/or volumes of gas via the mole ratio given by
and volumes of gas via the mole ratio the coefficients in a balanced equation.

WORKED EXAMPLE R2.1E

Ozone is usually made by passing oxygen gas through a tube between two highly charged
electrical plates.
3O2(g) → 2O3(g)

The reaction does not go to completion, so a mixture of the two gases is produced.
We can determine the concentration of ozone, O3, in the mixture by its reaction with
aqueous potassium iodide, KI.
O3(aq) + 2KI(aq) + H2O(l) → I2(aq) + O2(aq) + 2KOH(aq)

We can determine the amount of iodine formed by its reaction with sodium thiosulfate.
2Na2S2O3(aq) + I2(aq) → Na2S4O6(aq) + 2NaI(aq)

When 500.00 cm3 of an oxygen / ozone gaseous mixture at STP was passed into an excess
of aqueous KI, and the iodine titrated, 15.00 cm3 of 0.100 mol dm−3 Na2S2O3 was required to
discharge the iodine colour.
1 Calculate the amount in moles of iodine produced.
2 Calculate the percentage of ozone in the gaseous mixture.

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 Answer
1 2S2O32– (aq) + I2(aq) → S4O62– (aq) + 2I– (aq)
nI2 : nS2O32– = 1 : 2
15.00
amount of S2O32– = × 0.100 = 1.5 × 10−3 mol
1000
1
amount of I2 = × 1.5 × 10−3 = 7.5 × 10−4 mol
2
2 nI2 : nO3 = 1 : 1
amount of O3 = 7.5 × 10−4 mol
volume of O3 = 7.5 × 10−4 mol × 22 700 cm3 mol−1 = 17.03 cm3
17.03
% of O3 = × 100% = 3.4%
500

Tool 1: Experimental techniques

Measuring variables: Volume

Volume of liquid or solution
The SI unit for volume is the cubic metre (m3). Since this is a large unit, chemists usually
measure volumes of liquids or solutions in cubic centimetres (cm3). Larger volumes may
be measured in cubic decimetres (dm3). 1 dm3 = 1000 cm3 (since 1 dm = 10 cm and
10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm = 1000 cm3). Other common units for volume are litres (L) and
millilitres (ml). There are 1000 millilitres in 1 litre. Both measurements are part of the
metric system and are accepted for use in the International System of Units (SI), but are not
SI units. 1 ml = 1 cm3 and 1 L = 1 dm3.
The volume of a liquid may be measured accurately using a pipette, a burette or a
volumetric flask.
If high precision is not required, a measuring cylinder may be used. These are often used
when the reagent is to be added in excess and so the exact volume is not required.

Gases
To measure the volume of a gas produced in a chemical reaction, we can collect it in a
graduated gas syringe.
The syringe must be lightly greased to reduce friction, allowing the plunger to move when
gas is produced. Gas syringes may leak where they are joined to a delivery tube (this can
be minimized by using vaseline and tightly fitting rubber connectors). It is good practice to
periodically twist the plunger of the syringe (without pulling or pushing) to ensure that it is
moving freely.
An alternative method of collecting and measuring gas volumes is via displacement of
water in an inverted burette, measuring cylinder or eudiometer (see Figure S1.113, page
108). However, this method is only suitable for gases that have a low solubility in, and do
not react with water. Even then, as more gas is introduced, the pressure of the gas above
the water increases, increasing its solubility and reducing its ability to displace water. This
limits the accuracy of measuring the volume of gas produced.

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 Tool 3: Mathematics

Express measurement and processed uncertainties – absolute, fractional

(relative), percentage – to an appropriate number of significant figures
or level of precision
Measured uncertainties should be quoted as half the smallest division of the apparatus
used to record them. Measurements made using the apparatus should therefore be given to
the same precision as the uncertainty. In practice, this usually means to the same number
of decimal places. For example, a burette with a scale marked every 0.02 cm3 records to
0.01 cm3 so 25 cm3 of solution should be correctly recorded as 25.00 cm3 ± 0.01 cm3. 25 cm3
(or 25.0 cm3) would be considered incorrect as the uncertainty is given with more precision
than the measured value. A volume of 25.000 cm3 would also be incorrect as the recorded
value is more precise than the uncertainty. This rule applies to final calculated values
as well.
It is worthwhile remembering that uncertainties themselves are only approximations, so it is
considered acceptable to approximate a percentage uncertainty to 1 significant figure.

■ Concentration stoichiometry problems

In aqueous and non-aqueous reactions, quantities of reactants and products are often specified in
terms of volumes and concentrations. Once again there are three steps:
1 Convert the volume and concentration of the given substance to moles using
amount (mol) = volume (dm3) × molar concentration (mol dm−3)
2 Determine the amount of the required substance using the amount of the given substance and
the coefficients in the balanced equation.
3 Convert the amount of the required substance to a volume of gas, or mass depending on what
is required using the same equation as in step 1.

We make the conversions between solution concentration, volume of gas, or mass, depending on
what is required, and amounts of solute in moles using the molar concentrations of the solutions.
We make the conversions between amounts in moles of A and B using the stoichiometric
coefficients from the balanced chemical equation.
The neutralization reaction below shows how coefficients in a balanced equation determine the
mole ratio of the reactants and products in a stoichiometric equation.
Ba(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → BaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

1 mol 2 mol 1 mol 2 mol

(1 dm3 × 1 M) (2 dm3 × 1 M) (1 dm3 × 1 M) 2 mol

(0.1 dm3 × 1 M) (0.2 dm3 × 1 M) (0.1 dm3 × 1 M) 0.2 mol

(where M represents mol dm–3)

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 8 Determine the
WORKED EXAMPLE R2.1F
maximum mass Determine the volume (dm3) of a 0.610 M NaOH solution needed to neutralize 0.0200 dm3
of anhydrous zinc of a 0.245 M H2SO4 solution. (M represents mol dm–3.)
sulfate crystals 2NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
(ZnSO4) that
could be formed Answer
when 100.00 cm3
1 Amount of sulfuric acid = 0.0200 dm3 × 0.245 mol dm−3 = 4.90 × 10−3 mol
of 2.00 mol dm−3
2 From the stoichiometry we see that 1 mole of H2SO4 reacts with 2 moles of NaOH.
sulfuric(VI) acid,
H2SO4, is reacted Therefore, the amount of reacted NaOH(aq) must be (2 × 4.90 × 10−3 mol) = 9.80 × 10−3 mol.
with an excess of 9.80 × 10−3 mol
3 Volume of NaOH(aq) = = 0.0161 dm3
metallic zinc. 0.610 mol dm−3

Nature of science: Experiments

The discovery of oxygen and a study of the combustion process
When mercury(II) oxide, a red powder once known as calx of mercury, is strongly heated it decomposes
into mercury and a gas. The English chemist Joseph Priestley (1733–1804) collected this gas and found
that flammable substances burnt much more strongly in it than in normal air.
In France, Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794) carried out an experiment to find out more about Priestley’s gas
using the apparatus shown in Figure R2.4. He kept the mercury in the retort at a temperature just lower
than its boiling point for several days.

air

mercury retort
oxide layer bell jar

mercury
heat
LINKING QUESTION
How does the molar ■ Figure R2.4 Lavoisier’s preparation of oxygen
volume of a gas
At the end of this time, he made the following observations:
vary with changes
in temperature n The level of the mercury in the bell jar had risen, showing the volume of air in the bell jar had been
and pressure? reduced by 20%.
n A layer of red powder, which he was able to show was calx of mercury, had formed on the surface of
the hot mercury in the retort.
LINKING QUESTION
n The gas remaining in his apparatus would not support combustion.
In what ways does
Avogadro’s law help On the basis of these observations and those of Priestley, Lavoisier proposed that the 20% of the air that
us to describe, but not supports combustion consists of a gas identical to that which Priestley produced (which we now know to
explain, the behaviour be oxygen). He also proposed that, when substances burn, they chemically combine with this gas to form
of gases? new substances (oxides).

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