We are learning a process on how to derive the amount of atoms in a chemical formula from the mass of a compound. It's started by finding the individual mass of each element in the compound then the total mass of the compound. After finding the percent of the elements, change them to grams and then convert them to moles. Finally, divided each mole by the smallest mole to get the number of atoms. It isn't a very hard concept. This link here will give explanations to properties certain elements have in chemical equations.
A lab was performed in class to find the amount of Zinc and Chlorine after a chemical reaction. After finding the mass of the compound, the process for finding atoms was used to balance to equation for the compound. If I remember, the compound ended up being ZnCl2. Howeverr, the compound cooking on the hotplate did not smell very good!
I agree with Graeme on the fact that this concept isn't very hard. It is just very time consuming and takes a little math to do. Although, I do hope for there to not be too many problems like this on the test tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI felt bad for Varun, because he put his face very close to the beaker and smelled the compound. Maybe not the wisest decision, but kids funny. I like the labs we do other than the toxic chemicals involved. Good luck on the test.
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