Practice Flashcards
What is a balanced chemical equation?
Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.
All Flashcards in Topic 5.1
Below are all 58 flashcards for this topic. Sign up free to track your progress and get personalized review schedules.
5.1.112 cards
What is a balanced chemical equation?
An equation with the **same number of each kind of atom** on both sides — atoms are conserved.
What is stoichiometry?
The study of the **whole-number ratios** in which substances react and are formed, read from a balanced equation.
What is a mole ratio?
The ratio of the **coefficients** in a balanced equation — how many moles of one substance react with or form another.
When balancing, what may you change?
Only the **coefficients** (the big numbers in front) — **never** a subscript inside a formula.
Why can't you change a subscript to balance?
Changing a subscript changes the **substance** itself (e.g. H_{2}O → H_{2}O_{2}), so it no longer describes the same reaction.
List the four state symbols.
**(s)** solid, **(l)** pure liquid, **(g)** gas, **(aq)** aqueous (dissolved in water).
What does (aq) mean?
**Aqueous** — the substance is **dissolved in water** (different from a pure liquid, (l)).
How do you read a mole ratio from N_{2} + 3 H_{2} → 2 NH_{3}?
The ratio N_{2} : H_{2} : NH_{3} is **1 : 3 : 2** — 1 mol N_{2} reacts with 3 mol H_{2} to make 2 mol NH_{3}.
Tip for balancing combustion equations?
Balance **C first, then H, then O last** (oxygen appears in more than one product), then reduce to smallest whole numbers.
Balanced equation for combustion of methane?
**CH_{4} + 2 O_{2} → CO_{2} + 2 H_{2}O** — smallest whole-number coefficients.
How much CO_{2} forms from 0.5 mol C in C + O_{2} → CO_{2}?
The C : CO_{2} ratio is 1 : 1, so **0.5 mol** of CO_{2}.
Common balancing mistake?
Changing a **formula** (subscript) instead of a coefficient, or forgetting the **state symbols** when asked.
5.1.211 cards
What is the limiting reactant?
The reactant that **runs out first** — it controls (limits) the amount of product that can form.
What is the reactant in excess?
The reactant **left over** once the limiting reactant has been used up.
What is the theoretical yield?
The **maximum** amount (or mass) of product, calculated from the **limiting** reactant.
How do you find the limiting reactant?
Convert each reactant mass to **moles**, divide each by its **coefficient**, and the **smallest** result is limiting.
Why divide moles by the coefficient?
It compares the reactants fairly against the **mole ratio** in the balanced equation, so you can see which runs out first.
Which reactant gives the product amount?
Always the **limiting** reactant — never the one in excess.
Formula linking mass and moles?
$n = \dfrac{m}{M}$ — convert every mass to moles before using the mole ratio.
Steps for a reacting-mass calculation?
Balanced equation → mass to **moles** (n = m/M) → scale by the **mole ratio** → moles back to **mass** (m = nM).
Where does the mole ratio come from?
From the **coefficients** of the balanced equation (e.g. N_{2} + 3H_{2} → 2NH_{3} is 1 : 3 : 2).
Common limiting-reactant trap?
Working out the product from the reactant in **excess**, or forgetting the **mole ratio** when coefficients are not 1 : 1.
If A and B react 1 : 1 and you have 0.3 mol A, 0.5 mol B — which is limiting?
**A** (0.3 mol runs out first); B is in excess by 0.2 mol.
5.1.312 cards
Define percentage yield.
$\%\text{ yield} = \dfrac{\text{actual yield}}{\text{theoretical yield}} \times 100$ — how much product you actually obtained versus the maximum predicted by the equation.
Define theoretical yield.
The amount of product predicted from the balanced equation if the **limiting reactant** reacted completely.
Define actual yield.
The amount of product you really obtain — always **less** than theoretical, due to side reactions, reversible reactions and losses.
Why is actual yield usually less than theoretical?
Side reactions, reversible reactions not going to completion, and losses during separation/purification.
Define percentage atom economy.
$\%\text{ AE} = \dfrac{M(\text{desired product})}{M(\text{all reactants})} \times 100$ — the fraction of reactant atoms ending up in the wanted product.
Yield vs atom economy — what's the difference?
Yield = **how much product you made**; atom economy = **how little reactant mass you wasted** as by-products. They are independent.
Which reactions have 100% atom economy?
**Addition** reactions — all reactants combine into a single product, so there are no by-products.
How do you build the bottom line of the atom-economy fraction?
Sum the molar masses of **all** reactants, each multiplied by its **coefficient** in the balanced equation.
Why does a high atom economy matter? (green chemistry)
Fewer atoms wasted as by-products → less raw material used and less waste to treat → more **sustainable and economical**.
Can percentage yield ever exceed 100%?
No — actual yield cannot beat the theoretical maximum. A value over 100% signals an error (e.g. impure/wet product).
How do you find the actual mass of product at a stated yield?
$\text{actual} = \dfrac{\%\text{ yield}}{100} \times \text{theoretical}$.
Common atom-economy mistake?
Putting only **one** reactant (or forgetting coefficients) on the bottom — you must sum **every** reactant's molar mass.
5.1.411 cards
State Avogadro's law of combining volumes.
At the **same temperature and pressure**, equal **volumes** of gases contain equal numbers of **moles** — so the volume ratio equals the coefficient ratio.
Why can you use volume ratios directly for reacting gases?
Because at fixed T and P volume is **proportional to amount**, so the balanced **coefficients** give the **volume ratio** — no moles needed.
What is the molar volume of a gas at STP?
**22.7 dm³ mol⁻¹** at STP (273 K, 100 kPa) — given in the data booklet.
Formula linking amount and gas volume at STP?
$n = \dfrac{V}{V_{m}}$ with $V_{m} = 22.7$ dm³ mol⁻¹ (volume in dm³).
How do you get a gas volume from an amount at STP?
Multiply the amount by the molar volume: $V = n\,V_{m} = n \times 22.7$ dm³.
How many cm³ are in 1 dm³?
**1000 cm³** — divide a cm³ value by 1000 before using the molar volume 22.7 dm³ mol⁻¹.
In N_{2} + 3H_{2} → 2NH_{3}, what volume of NH_{3} comes from 1 vol N_{2}?
**2 volumes** of NH_{3} (the volume ratio matches the 1 : 3 : 2 coefficients).
How do you find the volume of an unreacted excess gas?
Subtract the volume that **reacted** (from the coefficient ratio) from the volume **supplied**.
Does liquid water count in a 'total gas volume' answer?
**No** — only **gases** contribute; liquids and solids (like condensed water) add zero volume.
Common reacting-gas-volume trap?
Forgetting to **subtract the gas that reacted** when asked for the volume remaining, or counting **liquid** products as gas.
STP conditions for V_{m} = 22.7 dm³ mol⁻¹?
**273 K and 100 kPa** (standard temperature and pressure).
5.1.512 cards
What is a titration?
A precise technique to find an **unknown concentration** by reacting it with a **standard solution** to the **end point** (an indicator colour change).
What is a standard solution?
A solution of **precisely known concentration**, made up in a **volumetric flask**.
What does a pipette do in a titration?
Delivers a **fixed, exact** volume of the solution being analysed (e.g. 25.0 cm³).
What does a burette do in a titration?
Delivers the **variable** volume of titrant (the **titre**), read to ±0.05 cm³.
What is the formula linking amount, concentration and volume?
$n = CV$ — amount (mol) = concentration (mol dm⁻³) × volume (**dm³**). Given in the data booklet.
What are the three steps of a titration calculation?
**(1)** n = CV on the known reagent → mol. **(2)** Cross by the **mole ratio**. **(3)** C = n/V (or M = m/n) on the unknown.
Why must the titre be converted before using n = CV?
The volume must be in **dm³** — divide a cm³ titre by **1000** first.
What are concordant titres?
Titres that **agree** (typically within 0.10 cm³). Only the concordant titres are **averaged** — a rough trial is ignored.
What is a back titration?
Add a **known excess** of a reagent, let it react, then titrate the **leftover** excess. Amount reacted = **added − leftover**.
When is a back titration used?
When the reaction is **slow** or the sample is an **insoluble solid** (e.g. a carbonate), making a direct titration impractical.
Mole ratio of NaOH to H_{2}SO_{4} in neutralisation?
**2 : 1** — sulfuric acid is diprotic, so it needs **two** moles of NaOH per mole of acid.
Commonest dropped mark in a titration calculation?
Forgetting the **mole ratio** from the balanced equation, or leaving a volume in **cm³** instead of dm³.
Topic 5.1 study notes
Full notes & explanations for How much? The amount of chemical change
Chemistry exam skills
Paper structures, command terms & tips
Want smart review reminders?
Sign up free to track your progress. Our spaced repetition algorithm will tell you exactly which cards to review and when.
Start Free