METHODS OF EXPRESSING CONCENTRATION

OF SOLUTIONS (UNITS OF CONCENTRATION)

The concentration of the solution means the quantity of
solute dissolved in a given quantity of the solvent or the
solution. The concentration of a solution can be expressed in
a number of ways. Sometimes, it is expressed as percentage
of the solute on the basis of mass, volume or both. More
often, the concentration is stated in terms of the solution.
The common methods of expressing the concentration of
a solution are given as follows. See table 2.2.
Table 2.2 Modes of Expressing the
concentration of Solutions

Methods of Notation Definition

expressing
the concen
tration

Strengthh S Grams of solute present per

litre of solution.
Percentage by mass or by
Percentage
volume or by both of solute
per 100 parts of solutions.
Normality N Number of gram equivalents
of solute per litre of solution.
M Number of moles of the solute
Molarity
per litre of solution.
Number of moles of solute
Molality m
present per 1000 g of solvent.
 Let us
the
study the various methods of expressing8 Number of gm equivalents of solute
concentration of solution one by one. Volume of solution in litres
1. Strength of Solution Normality can be calculated from the strength
(S). The strength of the
Solution is always expressed as the amount of solute in solution
olt
8rams dissolved per litre of the solution. For example Strength (in gram/litre)
N
1) If 4 g of sodium hydroxide is dissolved in one litre Equivalent mass of solute
solution, then it is written as 4g/litre. Units of Normality (N) are gm equivalent per l
(i) A solution in which 0.75 g of potassium carbonate is gm. eq L
lite
dissolved in 500 ml can be written as 1.50g/litre Explanation. Equivalent mass of NaOH
Mathematically. Molecular mass of NaOH
Amount of solute in gm acidity = 1 40
Strength (S) = Volune of the solution in litre
I gm equivalent of NaOH present in 1 Litre solution
L"
Thus, the unit of Strength is gram per litre or gm 40 gm NaOH present in 1 Litre solution = IN
in
2. Percentage (%). 7The concentration of solution 20 gm NaOH present in 1 Litre solution = 0.5 N
terms of percentage can be expressed
in the following four
20 gm NaOH present in 500 ml solution = 1 N
ways.
4 gm NaOH present in 1 litre solution =0.1IN
(i) Mass to mass percentage
4 gm NaOH present in 100 mi solution = IN
mass of solute in gms
100 0.1 gm equivalent of NaOH present in 1 litre=01
mass of solution in gms
(i) Mass to volume percentage
WORKED OUT EXAMPLES
mass of solute in grams EXAMPLE 1. 200 ml of a solution contains 0.754
X 100
volume of solution in ml sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO. What is its normality?
(ii) Volume to volume percentage sOLUTION. Molecular mass of NaHCO
volume of solute (ml) 23+1+ 12+3 x 16 =23 + 1+ 12+48
x 100
volume of solution in ml
Equivalent mass of NaHCO
(iv) Volume to mass percentage
volume of solute (ml) Molecular mass - 84
x 100 Acidity
mass of solution in gms
0.754
Usually, the percentage (w/w) or (w/v) is used in 0.754 gm NaHCO3 = gm equivalent
common practice. For example, a 10% solution of KI 84
contains 10g of KI in 100 g of solution (w/w). In terms of 0.754
w/v, 10% KI solution contains 10 g of KI in 100 ml solution. 200 ml contain gm equivalent
84
EXAMPLES. (i) 5% (W/W) aqueous solution of NaCl 0.754
contains 5 gm NaCl and 95 gm water. 200 ml x 5 contain x 5 gm equivalent
84
Total Mass ofsolution = 5 +95 = 100.
3.77
(ii) 10% (VV) aqueous solution of methanol contains 1000 ml contain = 0.0448 gm equivalenl
84
10 ml of methanol and 90 ml of water. Thus, total volume of
solution = 10+90= 100 ml. 0.0448 N.

3. Normality. When one gram equivalent of a solute is EXAMPLE 2. Calculate the amount of Na
dissolved in one litre of the solution, it is called a normal 200 ml solution which is 0.15 N.
0.15
solution. SOLUTION. 200 ml 0.15N solution = 200 x
Normality is defined as the number of gram equivalents 30 milli equivalent
of the solute present per litre of the solution. It is denoted by Molecular mass of NaCO = 2 x 23 + 12+
the letter N.
= 106
Number of gram equivalents*
N= x 1000 Eauivalent mass = 53
Volume of solution (ml) x 53
10-3
30 mili equivalent of Na2CO3 30 x
Amount of solute in gms. 1.59 gm NayCO
*Number of gram equivalent =
-

Eq. mass of the solute

SOLUTIONS sodium carbonate
1000 ml of solution contains
FOLLOW UPPROBLEMS 2.62x 1000 4.366 8
1. How can you prepare 1 litre 1 N HCI solution ? 600
(Na,CO,) = 106
2. What of HCl is present in 1 1litre 0.5 N solution ?
amount Molecular mass of sodium carbonate

3. 3.65 gm of HCl is present in 100 ml solution. What isits We know that molarity
normality? Amount of substance in gram per litre
4. What amount of HCl is present in 500 ml of 0.1 N solution? Molecular mass of solute
5. Find the number of gram equivalent of HCI present in 1 4.366
0.041
litre 0.1 N solution. Molarity of Na,CO, solution =

106
Normality Volume of solution in litre
density of methanol is 0.793 kg L,
x
= gm equivalent of solute
EXAMPLE 4. If the
what is the volume needed for making 2.5
L of its 2.5M
I N x 1 Litre = l gm equivalent of solute (N.C.E.R.T. Text Book Problem)
solution?
0.1 N x 1 litre = 0.1 gm equivalent ofsolute sOLUTION. Molar mass of methanol (CH3OH)
Gram equivalent x Equivalent of solute = weight of solute
3 2 gm mol = 0.032 kg mol
1 gm equivalent x 40 = 40 gm of NaOH
0 . 1 gm equivalent x 40 = 4 gm of NaOH. Density of methanol = 0.793 kg L(given).
When one mole of the solute is
4. Molarity. (M)
Molarity
Density 0.793 kg L-1
present in one litre of solution, it is called molar solution. Molar mass 0.032 kg mol
Molarity is the number of moles of the solute
present per litre of the solution. It is denoted by the = 24.78 M
letter M. Methanol
Calculating the volume of
Number of moles of solute 1000 MV = MV2
Molarity M = We know:
Volume of solution (ml) (given solution) (soln to be prepared)
its
Molarity of the solution can also be calculated from
strength. VI = 2.524.78
x =0.2522 litre

M-Srength (in gram per litre) 24.78 x V1 = 2.5 x 2.5

Molecular mass of solute
EXAMPLE 5. How many millilitres of 0.5 M HSO4 are
If W grams of the solute is present in V ml of the given
eded to dissolve 0.5 gm of copper (1) carbonate ?
solution then.
W 1000 sOLUTION. (i) Calculating mass of H,S04
M =
Molecular mass V CuCO +H,SO4 CuSO4 +CO +H,0
Units. The units of molarity are moles per litre (mol L) 63.5 +12+48 2+32+64
= 123.5 gm. 9 8 gm.
or moles per cubic decimetre (mol dm-). The disadvantage of
molarity is that it changes with temperature due to expansion 123.5 gm. of copper carbonate require H,SO4=98 gm
or contraction of solution. 0.5 gm. of copper carbonate require HaSO4
Explanation. 1 mole of acetic acid present in 1 litre
98
solution =1M 123.5
x 0.5 =0.397 gm
60 gm of acetic acid present in 1 litre solution = 1 M
6 gm of acetic acid present in 100 ml solution = 1 M (ii) Calculating the volume of H,SO4
30 gm of acetic acid present in 500 ml solution = IM We know that: Molarity
6 gm of acetic acid present in 1000 ml solution = 0.1 M
Mass of sulphuric acid
0.1 gm mole of acetic acid present in I litre solution Molar mass of H,SO4 X vol. of solution in litre
= 0.1 M
Substituting the values
WORKED OUT EXAMPLES 0.5
0.397
EXAMPLE3. Calculate the molarity ofsodium carbonate 98 X vol. of solution in litres
solution, 2.62 g of which are dissolved in 600 ml solution. 0.397
sOLUTION. 600 ml of solution contains sodium Volume of solution= 05 x 98
= 0.0081litre = 8.1 ml

carbonate =2.62 g
 5. Molality (m). When one mole of the solute is
dissolved in 1000 g ofthe solvent, it is called I molal solution.
Thus, molality is the number of moles of the solute
present in 1000 grams of the solvent. It is denoted by the
letter m'.
Number of moles of the solute
Molality, (m) = -

Mass of the solvent in grams

x 1000

The molality of the given solution does not change with

temperature because in such solutions mass is formed the basis.
w X 1000
m Mx W

where w =mass of the solute,

W mass of solvent and
M =molecular mass of the solute.
Units The units of molality are moles per kilogram
mol kg-).
Note. The value of molality is not influenced by
change in temperature, Longitude or Latitude.
 SOLUTIONS 65
solution found to be 0.95 g/ml. Calculate
was the normmality, (i) Molarity. Molecular mass of HNO, = 63
molarity, molality of the given solution. W
Molarity x 1000
Solution. Mass of oxalic acid (w) 3.18Bg = vx Mol. mass
Volume of the solution (V) = 500 ml. 80
X 1000 = 15.238 M
) Normality. Equivalent mass of oxalic acid 83.33 x 63
83.33 x 63
(iin) Molality. Mass of the solute (HNO,) = 80 8
Mol. mass 126
Total mass of the solution = 100 g
2 2 Mass of the solvent (H,O) = 100 - 80 2 0 g
COOH Molecular mass of HNO = 63
6 3 Mol. mass of | .2H,0 = 126
Mass of solute
COOH Molality =Mass of solvent x Molecular mass
x 1000
W
Normality = x 1000
V x Eq. mass 80
x 1000 = 63.49 m.
20x 63
3.18
x 1000 The Milliequivalent, It is defined as one thousandth of
500 x 63
=
0.1009 N
an equivalent
(ii) Molarity. Molecular mass of oxalic acid = 126. For example : Equivalent mass of NaOH = 40

W 1 g equivalent of NaOH = 40 g
Molarity Vx Mol. mass
x 1000
40
I milligram equivalent of NaOH= 1000 = 0.04g
3.18
x 1000 = 0.0504 M
500 x 126 It may be noted that when a certain volume of a solution
(ii) Molality. Mass of solute (oxalic acid) = 3.18 g
(in ml) of a substance is multiplied by its normality, it directly

Volume of the solution = 500 ml

gives the number of milligram equivalents of the substance.
Number of milligram equivalents of a substance
Density of solution = 0.95 g/ml volume of solution in ml x normality
Mass of 500 ml solution = 500 x 0.95 = 475 g N
Mass of solvent = 475 -3.18 = 471.82 g. For example, 50 ml of 1 NaCO, solution contains

We know that Molality 50 x=5 milligram equivalent of sodium carbonate.

Mass of solute
x 1000 5 x 53
Molecular mass X mass of solvent = 0.265 g
5 mgm equivalent 1000
.18
x 1000 = 0.0534 M. Equivalent mass of Na,CO = 53]
126 x 471.82
6. Mole fraction. It is the ratio of the number of moles
EXAMPLE 9. Concentrated nitric in a bottle is 80%
of solute (n^) or solvent (n2) to the total number of moles in
nitric acid by mass. The density of this acid is 1.2 g/ml.
the solution.
Calculate the normality and molality.
Let n = no. of moles of solute
sOLUTION. In 80% nitric acid, we know that : Mass of
Mass of solute
nitric acid (w) = 80 8
Mass of the total solution in water = 100 g LMol.mass
n2 = no. of moles of solven
Density of solution = 1.2 g/ml.

Volume of the total solution (V) Mole fraction of solute, XA - n and

n+n2
Mass 100
83.33 ml n
Mole fraction of solvent, Xg = X +X=1
Density 1.2
of HNO3 63
(i) Normality. Equivalent mass
=

W
Notes 1. The value of molality, w/w% mole fraction of
x 1000 component in solution do not change with the
Normality Vx Eq. mass change in temperature, longitude or latitude.
80 The sum of the mole fractions of all the
83.33 x 63
x 1000 15.238 N components in solution is always equal to one