Elements

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CHEMISTRY ABRAR

Elements
Modern definition of element is that it is a substance made up of same type of
atoms, having same atomic number and cannot be decomposed into simple
substances by ordinary chemical means.
In the early ages, only nine elements (carbon, gold, silver, tin, mercury, lead,
copper, iron and sulphur) were known. Now 118 elements have been discovered,
out of which 92 are naturally occurring elements.
Elements may be solids, liquids or gases. Majority of the elements exist as solids
e.g. sodium, copper, zinc, gold, etc. There are very few elements which occur in
liquid state e.g. mercury and bromine. A few elements exist as gases e.g. nitrogen,
oxygen, chlorine and hydrogen.
The unique property of an element is valency. It is combining capacity of an
element with other elements. It depends upon the number of electrons in the
outermost
shell.
Compound
Compound is a substance made up of two or more elements chemically combined
together in a fixed ratio by mass. As a result of this combination, elements lose
their own properties and produce new substances (compounds) that have entirely
different properties.
Compounds can be classified as ionic or covalent. Ionic compounds do not exist
in independent molecular form. They form a three dimensional crystal lattice, in
which each ion is surrounded by oppositely charged ions. These compounds are
represented by formula units e.g. NaCl, KBr, CuSO4 . The covalent compounds
mostly exist in molecular form. A molecule is a true representative of the covalent
compound and its formula is called molecular formula e.g. H2 O, HC1, H2 SO4 ,
CH4.

Mixture
When two or more elements or compounds mix up physically without any fixed
ratio, they form a mixture.
The mixture can be separated into parent components by physical methods such as
distillation, filtration, evaporation, crystallisation or magnetization.

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Mixtures that have uniform composition throughout are called homogeneous


mixtures e.g. air, gasoline, ice cream. Whereas, heterogeneous mixtures are those
in which composition is not uniform throughout e.g. soil, rock and wood.

Atomic Number and Mass Number


The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons present in
the nucleus of its atoms. It is represented by symbol ‘Z’ .
As all atoms of an element havethe same number of protons in their nuclei, they
have the same atomic number. Hence, each element has a specific atomic number
termed as its identification number. For example, all hydrogen atoms have 1
proton, their atomic number is Z=l. All atoms in carbon have 6 protons, their
atomic number is Z=6. Similarly, in oxygen all atoms have 8 protons having
atomic number Z=8 and sulphur having 16 protons shows atomic number Z = 16.
mass number
The mass number is the sum of number of protons and neutrons present in the
nucleus of an atom. It is represented by symbol 'A'. It is calculated as A=Z+n
where n is the number of neutrons.
Each proton and neutron has lamu mass. For example, hydrogen atom has one
proton and no neutron in its nucleus, its mass number A=l+0 =1. Carbon atom has
6 protons and 6 neutrons, hence its mass number A=12.
Example
How many protons and neutrons are there in an atom having A = 238 and Z = 92.
Solution:
First of all, develop data from the given statement of the example and then solve it
with the help of data.
Data
A=238
Z=92
Number of protons ?
Number of neutrons?
Number of protons = Z = 92
Number of Neutrons = A - Z
= 238 – 92
= 146

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Relative Atomic Mass and Atomic Mass Unit


The relative atomic mass of an element is the average mass of the
atoms of that element as compared to 1/12th (one-twelfth) the mass of an atom of
carbon- 12 isotope (an element having different mass number but same atomic
number).
The unit for relative atomic masses is called atomic mass unit, with symbol 'amu'.
One atomic mass unit is 1/12th the mass of one atom of carbon-12th. When this
atomic mass unit is expressed in grams, it is:

For example:
Mass of Proton = 1.0073 amu or
Mass of Neutron = 1.0087 amu or
Mass of Electron = 5.486 amu or

How to write a Chemical Formula


Compounds are represented by chemical formulae as elements are represented by
symbols. Chemical formulae of compounds are written keeping the following steps
in consideration.

1. Symbols of two elements are written side by side, in the order of positive ion
first and negative ion later.
2. The valency of each ion is written on the right top corner of its symbol, e.g.
Na , Ca , CI and O2 .
3. This valency of each ion is brought to the lower right corner of other ion by
'crossexchange' method, e.g. They are written as:

4. If the valencies are same, they are offset and are not written in the chemical
formula. But if they are different, they are indicated as such at the same
position, e.g. in case of sodium chloride both the valencies are offset and
formula is written as NaCl, whereas, calcium chloride is represented by
formula CaCl2 .

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Empirical formula
Chemical formulae are of two types. The simplest type of formula is empirical
formula. It is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms present in a compound.
Theempirical formula of a compound is determined by knowing the percentage
composition of a compound. However, here we will explain it with simple
examples.
The covalent compound silica (sand) has simplest ratio of 1:2 of silicon and
oxygen respectively. Therefore, its empirical formula is SiO . Similarly, glucose
has 2 simplest ratio 1:2:1 of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, respectively. Hence, its
empirical formula is CH O.
Each ion is surrounded by oppositely charged ions in such a way to form
electrically neutral compound. Therefore, the simplest unit taken as a
representative of an ionic compound is called formula unit. It is defined as the
simplest whole number ratio of ions, as present in the ionic compound. In other
words, ionic compounds have only empirical formulae. For example, formula unit
of common salt consists of one Na+ and one CI ion and its empirical formula is
NaCl. Similarly, formula unit of potassium bromide is KBr, which is also its
empirical formula.

Molecular Formula
Molecules are formed by the combination of atoms. These molecules are
represented by molecular formulae that show actual number of atoms of each
element present in a molecule of that compound. Molecular formula is derived
from empirical formula by the following relationship:
Molecular formula = (Empirical formula)n
Where n is 1,2,3 and so on.
For example, molecular formula of benzene is C6H6 which is derived from the
empirical formula CH where the value of n is 6.

Molecular Mass and Formula Mass


The sum of atomic masses of all the atoms present in one molecule of a molecular
substance, is its molecular mass. For example, molecular mass of chlorine (Cl ) is
71.02 amu, of water (H2 O) is 18 amu and that of carbon oxide (CO2 ) is 44 amu.

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Example
Calculate the molecular mass of Nitric acid, HNO3 .
Solution
Atomic mass of H = 1 amu
Atomic mass of N = 14 amu
Atomic mass of O = 16 amu
Molecular formula = HNO3
Molecular mass = 1 (At. mass of H) + 1 (At. mass of N) + 3 (At. mass of O)
= 1 + 14 + 3(16)
= 1 + 14 + 48
= 63 amu

Example
Calculate the formula mass of Potassium sulphate K2 SO4
Solution
Atomic mass of K = 39 amu
Atomic mass of S = 32 amu
Atomic mass of O = 16 amu
Formula unit = K 2SO4
Formula mass of K 2SO4 = 2(39) + 1(32) + 4(16)
= 78 + 32 + 64
= 174 amu

CHEMICAL SPECIES
Ions (Cations and Anions), Molecular Ions and Free Radicals
Ion is an atom or group of atoms having a charge on it. The charge may be positive
or negative. There are two types of ions i.e. cations and anions.
An atom or group of atoms having positive charge on it is called cation. The
cations are formed when atoms lose electrons from their outermost shells.
For example, Na+, K+ are cations. The following equations show the formation of
cations from atoms.
Atom Cation
H H + 1e-
+

Na Na+ + 1e-

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An atom or a group of atoms that has a negative charge on it, is called anion.
Anion 2 is formed by the gain or addition of electrons to an atom.
For example, Cl- and O-2 .
Following examples show the formation of an anion by addition of electrons to an
atom.
Atom Anion
-
Cl + 1e Cl

Molecular Ion
When a molecule loses or gains an electron, it forms a molecular ion. Hence,
molecular ion or radical is a species having positive or negative charge on it. Like
other ions they can be cationic molecular ions (if they carry positive charge) or
anionic molecular ions (if they carry negative charge). Cationic molecular ions are
more abundant than anionic molecular ions. For example
.
Free Radicals
Free radicals are atoms or group of atoms possessing odd number of (unpaired)
electrons. It is represented by putting a dot over the symbol of an element e.g.

Molecule Free radical

Types of Molecules
A molecule is formed by the chemical combinations of atoms. It is the smallest unit
of a substance. It shows all the properties of the substance and can exist
independently.
There are different types of molecules depending upon the number and types of
atoms combining. A few types are discussed here.
A molecule consisting of only one atom is called monoatomic molecule. For
example, the inert gases helium, neon and argon all exist independently in atomic
form and they are called monoatomic molecules.
If a molecule consists of two atoms, it is called diatomic molecule. For example:
hydrogen (H2 ), oxygen (O2 ), chlorine (Cl2 ) and hydrogen chloride (HCl).

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If it consists of three atoms, it is called triatomic molecule. For example :H2 O and
CO2.
If a molecule consists of many atoms, it is called polyatomic. For example:
methane (CH4 ), sulphuric acid (H2SO4 ) and glucose (C6 H12 O6 ).
A Molecule containing same type of atoms, is called homoatomic molecule. For
example: hydrogen (H2 ), ozone (O3 ), sulphur (S8 ) and phosphorus (P4) are the
examples of molecules formed by the same type of atoms.
When a molecule consists of different kinds of atoms, it is called heteroatomic
molecule. For example: CO2 , H2O and NH3 .

Avogadro's Number
Avogadro's Number is a collection of particles. It is represented by
symbol 'N '. Hence, the number of atoms, molecules or formula units
is called Avogadro's number that is equivalent to one 'mole' of respective
substance.
In simple words particles are equal to one mole as twelve eggs are
equal to one dozen.
To understand the relationship between the Avogadro's number and the mole
of a substance let us consider a few examples.
i. atoms of carbon are equivalent to one mole of carbon.
ii. molecules of H2O are equivalent to one mole of water.
iii. formula units of NaCl are equivalent to one mole of sodium
chloride.

Mole (Chemist secret unit)


Mole is the atomic mass, molecular mass or formula mass of a substance
expressed in grams is called mole. It is abbreviated as 'mol'.
You know that a substance may be an element or compound (molecular or ionic).
Mass of a substance is either one of the following: atomic mass, molecular mass or
formula mass. These masses are expressed in atomic mass units (amu). But when
these masses are expressed in grams, they are called as molar masses.
For example:
Atomic mass of carbon expressed as 12 g = 1 mol of carbon

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Molecular mass of H2 O expressed as 18 g = 1 mol of water 2


Molecular mass of H2 SO4 expressed as 98 g = 1 mol of H SO 2 4 2 4
Formula mass of NaCl expressed as 58.5 g = 1 mol of NaCl
Thus, the relationship between mole and mass can be expressed as:
Or,
Mass of substance (g) = number of moles x molar mas

Problem
Calculate the gram molecule (number of moles) in 40 g of H3 PO4.
Solution

Therefore, 40 grams will contain 0.408 gram molecule (mol) of H3PO4 .

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Key points

 Chemistry is study of composition and properties of matter. It has different


branches.
 Substances are classified into elements and compounds.
 Elements consist of only one type of atoms.
 Compounds are formed by chemical combination of atoms of the elements
in a fixed ratio.
 Mixtures are formed by mixing up elements or compounds in any ratio.
They are classified as homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
 Each atom of an element has a specific atomic number (Z) and a mass
number or atomic mass (A).
 Atomic mass of an atom is measured relative to a standard mass of C-12.
Relative atomic mass of an element is the mass of an element compared with
1/12mmass of an atom of C-12 isotope.
 Atomic mass unit is 1/12 of the mass of one atom of C-12, lamu =
g
 Empirical formula is the simplest type of chemical formula, which shows the
relative number of atoms of each element in a compound.
 Molecular formula gives the actual number of atoms of each element in a
molecule.
 Formula mass is the sum of atomic masses of all the atoms in one formula
unit of a substance.
 An atom or group of atoms having a charge on it is called an ion. If it has
positive charge it is called a cation and if it has negative charge it is called
an anion.
 There are different types of molecules: monoatomic, polyatomic,
homoatomic and heteroatomic.
 The number of particles in one mole of a substance is called Avogadro's
number. The value of this number is It is represented as N . A
 The amount of a substance having particles is called a mole.
The quantitative definition of mole is atomic mass, molecular mass or
formula mass expressed in grams.

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