CAIE IGCSE Chemistry

3.1 Formulae

Notes

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State the formulae of the elements and compounds named in the subject
content

● Examples of symbols of the elements: Sodium (Na), Chlorine (Cl) etc…

● Example of a formula of a simple compound: Sodium chloride (NaCl)

Define the molecular formula of a compound as the number and type of

different atoms in one molecule

● The molecular formula of a compound is the actual number of atoms of each

element present in a compound
● E.g The molecular formula of water is H2O

Deduce the formula of a simple compound from the relative numbers of

atoms present in a model or a diagrammatic representation

● To determine the formula of a

compound, count the number of atoms of
each element in the model/diagram and
repeat for each element
● E.g. in this ball and stick model,
there are 6 hydrogen atoms and 2 carbon
atoms so this compound is C2H6 (known
as ethane)

Construct word equations and symbol equations to show how reactants

form products, including state symbols

● The state symbols:

○ (s) means solid, e.g. most metals are solid at room temp: Na(s), Mg(s)
○ (l) means liquid e.g. bromine and mercury are liquid at room temp:
Br2(l), Hg (l). Pure water is also (l): H2O (l)
○ (g) means gas, e.g. chlorine and nitrogen gas at room temp: Cl2(g),
N2(g)
○ (aq) means aqueous, any substance dissolved in solution, e.g. NaCl
(aq), H2SO4(aq)
● Example of word equation:
Hydrochloric acid + Sodium hydroxide -> Sodium chloride + Water
● Example of balanced chemical equation:
HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) -> NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)

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(Extended only) Define the empirical formula of a compound as the
simplest whole number ratio of the different atoms or ions in a compound

● The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest whole number ratio of

atoms of each element in a compound
● E.g The molecular formula of a compound is C2H6 but the empirical formula of
this compound would be CH3 since both 2 and 6 can be simplified further.

(Extended only) Deduce the formula of an ionic compound from the

relative numbers of the ions present in a model or a diagrammatic
representation or from the charges on the ions

● To determine the formula of an ionic compound, identify the ions of each

element in the model/diagram and take note of their charges
● An ionic compound will have an overall charge of zero
● E.g. in this ball and stick model, there are sodium ions with a +1 charge and
chloride ions with a -1 charge, so together the charges make zero so the
formula of this compound is NaCl (sodium chloride)
● E.g. an ionic compound with magnesium ions with a +2 charge and chloride
ions with a -1 charge: to balance out the charges 2 chloride ions would be
needed for every 1 magnesium ion, so the formula of this ionic compound is
MgCl2

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(Extended only) Construct symbol equations with state symbols, including
ionic equations

● Chemical symbols and formulae are used to represent elements and

compounds involved in the reaction
○ All metal elements and some non-metals are shown by just their
symbols, e.g. Na, Mg, Li, Ca
○ Some non-metals are diatomic molecules, shown by the subscript 2 = 2
atoms in each molecule: H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2
○ The format of equations: reactant (+ reactant) -> product ( + product)
1. Find the symbols and formulae for each element/compound
2. Put into format and see if the number of atoms of each element are the
same on either side of the arrow
3. Add in the state symbols

Constructing ionic equations

● In a balanced ionic equation:
○ the number of positive and negative charges on both sides of the arrow
are the same
○ the numbers of atoms of each element on both sides of the arrow are
the same

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(Extended only) Deduce the symbol equation with state symbols for a
chemical reaction, given relevant information

● E.g Construct a symbol equation, with state symbols, for the following
reaction: Magnesium + Oxygen -> Magnesium oxide
1. Find the symbols and formulae for each element
● Magnesium: Mg Oxygen: O2 Magnesium oxide: MgO
● MgO: found by balancing the charges of magnesium ions (+2)
and oxide ions (-2)

2. Put into format and see if the reactants and products are balanced:
● Unbalanced equation: Mg + O2 -> MgO
● There are 2 oxygen atoms on the left but only 1 on the right
● To keep the product correctly balanced, we need 2 magnesium
atoms on the left too
● Balanced equation: 2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO

3. Add the state symbols in

● Correct answer: 2Mg (s) + O2 (g) -> 2MgO (s)

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 CAIE IGCSE Chemistry

3.2 Relative masses of atoms and

molecules

Notes

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Describe relative atomic mass, Ar , as the average mass of the isotopes of
an element compared to 1/12th of the mass of an atom of 12C

● The relative atomic mass, Ar, of an element is the average mass of the
isotopes of an element compared to 1/12th of the mass of an atom of
carbon-12
○ E.g. the relative atomic mass of oxygen is 16, chlorine is 35.5, etc

Define relative molecular mass, Mr , as the sum of the relative atomic

masses. Relative formula mass, Mr , will be used for ionic compounds

● The relative molecular mass, Mr, is the relative atomic masses of each atom
of each element in a molecule added up
○ E.g The Mr of H2O is 18
○ Ar of H= 1 Ar of O= 16 so 16+1+1=18
● The balancing number (number in front of the symbol/formula) is always
ignored when calculating the Mr of a compound
○ E.g The Mr of 3H2O is still 18 regardless of the 3 in front of H2O
● The relative formula mass, Mr, is the term used for ionic compounds, but the
concept is the same
○ E.g The Mr of NaCl is 58.5
○ Ar of Na=23 Ar of Cl= 35.5 so 23+35.5= 58.5

Calculate reacting masses in simple proportions. Calculations will not

involve the mole concept

To calculate reacting masses, the following

formula triangle is used:

● Tip: To memorise this triangle, remember

“Mr Mole carries a mass”
● Mr: The relative formula/molecular mass
● m: the mass of the substance, units: g
● Mol: the number of moles (balancing
number of the substance)

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● E.g.
Calculate the mass of magnesium needed to form 12g of magnesium oxide:
2Mg (s) + O2(g) -> 2MgO (s)
1. Find the Mr of magnesium: 24
2. Find the Mr of magnesium oxide: (Ar of Mg is 24 and Ar of oxygen is 16)
3. Find the mol of magnesium oxide: mass of MgO ÷ Mr of MgO
12 ÷ 40= 0.3
4. The moles of magnesium is also 0.3 since the balancing numbers of
Mg and MgO are the same
5. Calculate the mass of magnesium: Mr of Mg x mol of Mg
24 x 0.3 =7.2g

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 CAIE IGCSE Chemistry

3.3 The mole and the Avogadro

constant

Notes

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State that concentration can be measured in g /dm3 or mol/dm3

● The concentration of a substance is the amount of solute dissolved in a

measured volume of solution
● The concentration can be measured in g/dm3 or mol/dm3
● To convert between the two units, the mass needs to be converted to moles
(or vice versa) using the formula triangle involving Mr, mol, mass

(Extended only) State that the mole, mol, is the unit of amount of
substance and that one mole contains 6.02 × 1023 particles, e.g. atoms,
ions, molecules; this number is the Avogadro constant

● The mole, mol, is the unit for the amount of substance

● The number of atoms, molecules or ions in 1 mole of a given substance is the
Avogadro constant: 6.02 x 1023

(Extended only) Use the relationship amount of substance (mol) = mass

(g)/ molar mass (g /mol) to calculate:

● The formula triangle for the relationship between amount of substance (mol),
mass (g) and molar mass (g/mol) can be used to calculate the following:

● The molar mass is the same as the Mr (relative molecular mass) numerically
but the molar mass has a unit (g/mol) whereas the Mr is a unitless quantity.
● E.g The Mr of calcium is 40, but the molar mass of calcium is 40g/mol

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(a) Amount of substance

● To calculate for the: 𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑚𝑜𝑙) = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 ÷ 𝑀𝑟

● E.g. Calculate the amount of substance in 426g of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4).
1. Calculate the Mr of Na2SO4
(23 x 2) + 32 + (16 x 4) = 142
2. Mass ÷ Mr
426 g ÷ 142 = 3 moles of Na2SO4

(b)Mass

● To calculate the: 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝑀𝑟 × 𝑚𝑜𝑙

● E.g Calculate the mass of 0.5 moles of sodium (Na)
1. Find the Mr of Na on periodic table = 23
2. Mass= Mr x mol
23 x 0.5 = 11.5g

(c) Molar mass

● To calculate the: 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 ÷ 𝑚𝑜𝑙

● E.g. Find the molar mass of AlCl3 (moles= 4 and mass = 534g)
● Mass ÷ Mol
534 g ÷ 4 mol = 133.5 g/mol

● To check your answer you can find the Mr of AlCl3 by using the atomic masses
(Ar) of each element from your periodic table:
27 + (3 x 35.5) = 133.5

(d) Relative atomic mass (Ar) or relative molecular/formula mass (Mr)

● To calculate the Ar or Mr of a substance, use the same process as finding the

𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 ÷ 𝑚𝑜𝑙
● E.g Find the relative molecular mass (Mr) of CaCOH (2 moles and mass =
138g)
● Mass ÷ Mol = Molar mass
138g ÷ 2 moles = 69 g/mol
● The relative molecular mass is a unitless quantity so the Mr of CaCOH is 69

● To check your answer you can find the Mr of CaCOH by using the atomic
masses (Ar) of each element from your periodic table:
40 + 12 + 16 + 1 = 69

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(e) Number of particles, using the value of the Avogadro constant

● The number of particles (atoms, molecules, ions) can be found using:

○ Avogadro constant= 6.02 x 10 23
○ The amount of substance (number of moles)

● E.g. Calculate the number of carbon dioxide molecules in 1.5 moles of CO2
Number of particles = Avogadro constant x amount of substance
Number of CO2 molecules= 6.02 x 10 23 x 1.5
Number of CO2 molecules= 9.03 x 10 23

● BUT if the question asked for the number of atoms in 1.5 moles of CO2, an
extra step is involved:
Number of CO2 molecules= 9.03 x 10 23
There are 3 atoms in each CO2 molecule (2 O atoms and 1 C atom), so…
Number of atoms in 1.5 moles of CO2= 9.03 x 10 23 x 3
= 2.71 x 10 24 atoms

(Extended only) Use the molar gas volume, taken as 24dm3 at room
temperature and pressure, r.t.p., in calculations involving gases

● Equal amounts in mol. of gases occupy the same volume under the same
conditions of temperature and pressure (e.g. RTP)
● Volume of 1 mol. of any gas at RTP (room temperature and pressure: 20˚C
and 1 atmosphere pressure) is 24 dm3
● This sets up this formula triangle:

● Both triangles are the same, the only difference is spotting whether the
question uses cm3 or dm3 for the volumes and molar gas volume

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(Extended only) Calculate stoichiometric reacting masses, limiting
reactants, volumes of gases at r.t.p., volumes of solutions and
concentrations of solutions expressed in g /dm3 and mol/dm3 , including
conversion between cm3 and dm3

Calculating stoichiometric reacting masses:

E.g Calculate the mass of oxygen needed to react with 24g of magnesium to
form magnesium oxide: 2Mg (s) + O2(g) -> 2MgO (s)

1. Identify which formula(s) you will need to use ->

2. Find the Mr of oxygen: 32 since the Ar of 1 oxygen
atom is 16
3. Find the Mr of magnesium: 24 (the 2 in front of
Mg is ignored as it is the balancing number)
4. Find the mol of magnesium: mass of Mg ÷ Mr of Mg
24 ÷ 24= 1
5. Calculate the mol of oxygen using the balancing numbers:
If 2 moles of magnesium = 1, then 1 mole of oxygen = 0.5
6. Calculate the mass of oxygen: Mr of O2 x mol of O2
32 x 0.5 =16g

Calculating limiting reactants:

● A reaction will finish when one of the reactants are all used up, that reactant is
known as the limiting reagent/reactant and it determines how much product
is formed
● The other reactant that is leftover is the reactant that is in excess
● By working out the mass of the limiting reactant, we can determine the mass
of the product:

E.g. 0.96 g of magnesium reacts with 2.19g of hydrochloric acid:

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2
What mass of magnesium chloride is formed?

1. Work out the moles for both reactants:

Formula: Moles= Mass ÷ Mr
Moles of Mg = 0.96 ÷ 24 = 0.04 Moles of HCl= 2.19 ÷ 36.5= 0.06

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 2. Use the molar ratio of the reactants to determine which is the limiting reactant
Mg : HCl is 1:2 so 1 mole of Mg : 2 moles of HCl
0.04 mol of Mg: 0.08mol of HCl
But there is only 0.06mol of HCl so HCl is the limiting reactant

3. Use the molar ratio of the limiting reactant and the product to find the moles of
product formed
HCl : MgCl2 is 2:1
0.06mol of HCl: 0.03mol of MgCl2

4. Work out the mass of product formed:

Mass of MgCl2: 0.03 mol x Mr of MgCl2
Mr of MgCl2: 24 + (35.5 x 2) = 95
Mass of MgCl2: 0.03 x 95 = 2.85g

Converting between cm3 and dm3

● It is important to remember that these are cubic/volume units so it isn’t as

simple as converting from cm to dm
● Imagine a cube with sides 1dm x 1dm x 1dm so the volume would naturally be
1dm3
● 1dm = 10cm
● So the same cube is also 10cm x 10cm x 10cm so the volume would be
1000cm3
● Therefore 1dm3 = 1000cm3
○ Converting cm3 to dm3 : ÷1000
○ Converting dm3 to cm3 : x1000

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Calculating volumes of gases at r.t.p

E.g. Calculate the volume of 0.75mol of oxygen at room temperature and

pressure (Molar gas volume= 24dm3)
3 3
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑚 = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 × 24 𝑑𝑚
Volume of oxygen= 0.75 x 24 = 18 dm3

E.g. Calculate the volume of 0.5mol of hydrogen at room temperature and

pressure (Molar gas volume= 24000cm3)
3 3
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑚 = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 × 24000 𝑐𝑚
Volume of hydrogen= 0.5 x 24000 = 12000 cm3

Calculating the volume and concentration of solutions in g/dm3 and mol/dm3

● To find the volume or concentration (in mol/dm3)

of a solution this formula triangle is used:
n= number of moles (mol)
c= concentration (mol/dm3)
v= volume of solution (dm3)
● Many questions will require you to know and
convert between dm3 and cm3
○ Converting cm3 to dm3 : ÷1000
○ Converting dm3 to cm3 : x1000
● The units for concentration can also be shown
as M (for ‘molar’)

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 ● Converting between g/dm3 and mol/dm3:
○ mol/dm3 -> g/dm3 multiply by the Mr
○ g/dm3-> mol/dm3 divide by the Mr

E.g. 200cm3 of hydrochloric acid contains 0.25 mol of dissolved hydrogen

chloride. Calculate the concentration in mol/dm3 and g/dm3
To calculate the

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 ÷ 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

1. Convert the volume in cm3 to dm3

200cm3 ÷ 1000 = 0.2dm3
2. Calculate the concentration in mol/dm3 : Number of moles ÷ Volume
0.25 ÷ 0.2 = 1.25 mol/dm3
3
3. To convert to g/dm :
Calculate the Mr of HCl: 1 + 35.5 = 36.5
mol/dm3 -> g/dm3 multiply by the Mr
1.25 x 36.5 = 45.625 g/dm3

(Extended only) Use experimental data from a titration to calculate the

moles of solute, or the concentration or volume of a solution

● The experimental data from a titration can be used to calculate the

concentration or volume or moles of a solution, using the formula triangle
relating the three
● Titration questions will require converting between dm3 and cm3
○ Converting cm3 to dm3 : ÷1000
○ Converting dm3 to cm3 : x1000

E.g. 25 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) is neutralised by 20 cm3 of 0.5 mol/dm3
sodium hydroxide (NaOH). What is the concentration of the hydrochloric acid?
1. Convert volumes from cm3 to dm3
25cm3 = 0.025dm3 20cm3= 0.020dm3
2. Work out the moles of NaOH:
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 × 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
0.5 x 0.02 = 0.01 mol
3. Work out the mole ratio by balancing the chemical
equation: HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H2O
1:1 ratio so number of moles of NaOH= number of
moles of HCl
So number of moles of HCl = 0.01mol
4. Work out the concentration of HCl:
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 ÷ 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
0.01 ÷ 0.025 = 0.4mol/dm3

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(Extended only) Calculate empirical formulae and molecular formulae,
given appropriate data

● Remember:
Empirical formula: the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each
element in a compound
Molecular formula: the actual number of atoms of each element in a
compound
● Finding the empirical formula:
E.g. Find the empirical formula of the following compound using their
percentage masses: Al 20.2% Cl 79.8%
1. Write the relative atomic masses (Ar) of each element
Al = 27 Cl = 35.5
2. Divide the percentage masses by the Ar of each element
Al= 20.2 ÷ 27 = 0.748 Cl= 79.8 ÷ 35.5 = 2.248
3. Divide by the smallest answer from step 2 to find the ratio of atoms of
each element
Al= 0.748 ÷ 0.748 = 1 Cl= 2.248 ÷ 0.748 = 3
This is the simplest whole number ratio for Al : Cl = 1:3
So the answer is AlCl3
● Tip: Set out your working into a table to ensure each step is correctly done
E.g. Calculate the empirical formula for a compound containing 7.83g of Iron
(Fe) and 3.37g of oxygen (O)

Element Fe O

Relative atomic mass (Ar) 56 16

Mass (in g) 7.83 3.37

Work out the moles 7.83g ÷ 56 = 0.14 3.37 ÷ 16 = 0.21

Divide by the smallest 0.14 ÷ 0.14 = 1 0.21 ÷ 0.14 = 1.5

number to find the molar
ratio

Multiply by x to reach lowest 1x2=2 1.5 x 2 = 3

whole number ratio

Empirical formula Fe2O3

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 ● Finding the molecular formula: Use the Mr to find the actual number of atoms
of each element after finding the empirical formula
E.g Deduce the molecular formula for the compound with empirical formula
CH2O and has an Mr of 180
1. Find the Mr of the empirical formula: 12 + (2 x 1) + 16 = 30
2. Divide the Mr of the molecular formula by the Mr of the empirical
formula:
180 ÷ 30 = 6
3. Multiply each element in the empirical formula by the answer in step 2:
1 atom of C x 6 = 6 atoms of C in the compound
2 atoms of H x 6 = 12 atoms of H in the compound
1 atom of O x 6 = 6 atoms of O in the compound
Answer: The molecular formula is C6H12O6

(Extended only) Calculate percentage yield, percentage composition by

mass and percentage purity, given appropriate data

Calculating the percentage yield

● It is not always possible to obtain the calculated (theoretical) amount of a

product for 3 reasons:
1. Reaction may not go to completion because it is reversible
2. Some of the product may be lost when it is separated from the reaction
mixture
3. Some of the reactants may react in ways different to the expected
reaction

● To calculate the percentage yield, the following formula can be used:

𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒
× 100

● To calculate the theoretical yield of a substance, find the mass by: Mr x Moles

E.g 32g of sodium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid. 16.2g of sodium chloride
was produced. Calculate the percentage yield of sodium chloride

NaOH + HCl -> NaCl + H2O

1. Calculate the theoretical yield of sodium chloride (NaCl):

a. Find the Mr of sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride
NaOH = 23 + 16 + 1 = 40 NaCl= 23 + 35.5 = 58.5

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 b. Calculate the moles of sodium hydroxide:
32g ÷ 40 = 0.8mol of NaOH
The molar ratio between NaOH:NaCl is 1:1 so there are 0.8mol of NaCl
c. Calculate the theoretical mass of NaCl:
0.8 x 58.5 = 46.8g

2. Calculate the percentage yield of NaCl:

𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒
× 100

Percentage yield of NaCl= 16.2 g x 100 = 34.6 %

46.8 g

Percentage composition by mass

To calculate the percentage of an element in a compound the following formula is

used:

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝑀𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑
× 100

E.g. Calculate percentage of magnesium in magnesium carbonate, MgCO3

1. Work out the Mr of the compound: 24 + 12 + (16 x 3) = 84
2. Work out the Total Ar of the element
There is only 1 atom of magnesium in the compound so the total mass of Mg
is 24 x 1 = 24
3. Input your data into the equation
% mass = (Total Ar of the element ÷ Mr of the compound) × 100
% mass of Mg = ( 24 ÷ 84) × 100 = 28.6%

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Percentage purity

● To calculate the percentage purity of a substance, the following formula is

used:

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
× 100

● It is possible you will need to calculate the mass from the moles first
E.g. A solution of sodium chloride contains 0.64g of NaCl in 100g of water. Calculate
the percentage purity by mass of NaCl.

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
× 100

0.64𝑔
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 = 100𝑔
× 100 = 0. 64%

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