Mole Calculations has been voted as #1 Killer Topic for ‘O’ Level Chemistry

Click on the PLAY button (2 mins audio) to find out why!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

>> Click HERE for Early Bird Registration to enjoy discounts & bonuses

>> Click HERE for Early Bird Registration to enjoy discounts & bonuses

In Mole Calculations, many students lose marks in questions related to Volumetric Analysis, especially on those that requires them to understand the concepts of CONCENTRATIONS of solutions. Volumetric Analysis are always a highlight in our annual Mole Calculations Mastery Workshop.

Concentrations of a solution refers to the amount of solute dissolved in 1 dm3 of the solution.

Do note that

Solution = Solute (minor component) + Solvent (major component)

Usually in basic chemistry such as O Levels, the solvent used is Water. As such, the solution formed is usually aqueous solutions whereby certain solid or liquid are dissolved in water.

Concentrations can be expressed in:

• Grams of solute per dm3 (unit will be g/dm3)
• Moles of solute per dm3 (unit will be mol/dm3)

The most important formulae student need to know in volumetric analysis are:

Conc. (mol/dm3)  = Amt. of Solute (mol) / Vol. of Solution (dm3)

&

Conc. (g/dm3)  = Amt. of Solute (g) / Vol. of Solution (dm3)

Let’s check out a question to see how we can use the formulae above.

Question:

60g of NaOH is dissolved in water and make up to the total volume of 500cm3. Calculate the concentration of solution in i) g/dm3 and ii) mol/dm3.

Answer:

i)

Mass of NaOH = 60g

Volume of solution in dm3 = 500/1000 = 0.5dm3

Concentration of solution in g/dm3 = 60 g /0.5 dm3 = 120 g/dm3

ii)

Mr, Relative molecular mass of NaOH = 23 + 16 + 1 = 40

Moles of NaOH = Mass / Mr = 60/40 = 1.5 mol

Concentration of solution in mol/dm3 = 1.5 mol / 0.5 dm3 = 3 mol/dm3

Isn’t it easy if you know the strategy of doing it? I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment.

For those itching to try out a question on your own. Check out the Quick Check below with a little bit of twist.

Quick Check 1:

Given concentration of a NaOH solution is 1.5 mol/dm3. How many moles of NaOH are contained in 2.0 dm3 of solution?

PS: Try it out and leave your suggested answer (working even better) below!

As you can see from the on-going survey on the right hand side, Mole Calculations (commonly known as Mole Concepts) has been voted by students as the #1 Killer Topic in O Level Chemistry (and other equivalent basic Chemistry Syllabus).

In fact, a large number of students skip the calculation-based questions when they see it on Chemistry examination, fearing that they spend alot of time on that question, and yet could not answer it.

Over the years, this topic is often voted the “Hot Favorite” on students’ challenging topics. Some:

• have problems understanding what the question is asking for
• do not know where to start
• totally blank when they read the question
• too confused with the formulae to use
• gave up on Mole Calculations totally

Many a times, question will require you to write a Balance Chemical Equation in order to solve the question. Other times, they will also require you to write the Ionic Equation and state the Spectator Ion.
As such you will need the following basic foundations that i have shared some time ago:

4 Steps-Process to write a Balanced Chemical Equation

7 Steps-Strategy to write the Ionic Equation & Spectator Ion

The best way to learn is NOT TO READ, but to DO IT!

Let’s try out one exam-based question(similar to O Level Chemistry Exams):

Question 1:

Copper (II) oxide reacts with dilute sulfuric acid to produce a salt, copper (II) sulfate and water. This process is known as Neutralisation.
i)  Write a balanced chemical equation with state symbols
ii) Write the ionic equation and state the spectator ion of this reaction

PS: Try it out and leave your answers below.

Quick Announcement for Singapore Readers:

Extension to Early Bird Price Registration for Mole Calculations Mastery Workshop 2010

We received a handful of requests for us to extend the bird early registration for the workshop as many schools in Singapore have yet to announce their March Holidays schedule.

We hear you and would want to help committed students to join us at this important (Number 1 killer topics for Chemistry) revision workshop at the special early bird workshop fee.

After much discussion, we have made the decision to extend the early bird registration to 10 March 2010 for all our March Holidays workshop.

Click here for the registration:
http://www.SimpleChemConcepts.com/molecalculations/early-bird.html?r=1

However, do note that we will close registration early once all seats are taken.

We look forward in meeting your child at the workshop!

Cheers to your academic success,
Sean

PS: I was informed that there are only 5 4 seats left. Act now!
http://www.SimpleChemConcepts.com/molecalculations/early-bird.html?r=2

PPS: Want to ace your E-Math? Circles Mastery Workshop is available during March Holidays also. Click on this link to find out more: http://www.singaporeolevelmaths.com/emath-circles.html

Registration for 2010 GCE ‘N’, ‘O’ & ‘A’ Levels Examinations for Private Candidates

Dateline: 3 April 2010

For more information, please call MOE Customer Serive at 6872 2220 or visit http://www.seab.gov.sg

Do you find Mole Calculations difficult?

Mole Calculations, or commonly known as “The MOLE” or “Mole Concepts” is regarded by many of the GCE ‘O’ Level Chemistry students (as well as IGCSE and IB / IP Chemistry students) to be one of the most challenging and difficult topic.

Let’s not mention that many students are not able to score in this topic!

In fact, a large number of chemistry students simply “hate” Mole Calculations, because they:

• Don’t know which formulae to use
• Don’t even know how to start when they read the question
• Can’t relate how mathematical manipulations are connected to chemistry theories
• Can’t handle the fact the Mole Calculations are everywhere & anywhere in Chemistry Exams – they appear in questions that are linked to various other chemistry topics

As such, many students have in fact given up on Mole Calculations! But question is: Can they afford to give them up? Let me know your views on it? Do you think students can afford ignore Mole Calculations?

Even worst, we have received emails from chemistry teachers and chemistry tutors (tuition centre teachers) on the challenges in teaching their students. Many students seemed to “understand” the examples shared by their chemistry teachers during lecture but once the question is rephrased a little bit, students will be stunned and do not know how to carry on. Are you one of them? I would love to hear from you.

Recently, we have seen more students asking us to discuss more about Mole Calculations in this chemistry blogsite. One of my chemistry student, who is committed to do well in the October’s GCE ‘O’ Levels Chemistry Exams, had sent me a series of questions related to Mole Calculations. And one of them is a challenging application question that i have addressed last year (2009). Let’s check out the question:

Question:
12dm3 of polluted air is passed through limewater so that all the carbon dioxide is precipitated as calcium carbonate. The mass of calcium carbonate formed is 0.05g. What is the percentage by volume, of carbon dioxide in the air sample?

Now, take out your calculator, pen & paper – and try it out! Leave your answer (and even better, leave down your working) in the Comment section below.

I will be providing the solution soon. But before that, i would strongly suggest that you attempt the question first to see if you have the correct answer. =)

Suggested Solution:
Updated on 2nd March 2010:

For full screen video – click HERE

PS: If you are based in Singapore, there is a chance now that you can master Mole Calculations quickly & effectively. Click HERE for more information.

If you have only 2 mins to spare on my website today, go watch this motivational video below. Forget about the rest~

Click HERE for direct URL if you can’t view the above video

Whether you are a:

Students that didn’t do so well in GCE ‘O’ Levels Exam (or other exams) last year and landed in a course or school that you don’t have a choice apparently

• Students that are facing the GCE ‘O’ Levels Exam this year 2010 (or other exams) but are struggling with the sheer amount of workload i.e, tests, worksheets, assignments, remedials, mock exams, whatever…
• Educators (Principals, Teachers, Tutors, Trainers, Coaches) that work closely with kids, teenagers, young adults
• Parents that consistently wonder why you cannot connect with your growing-up child, and crying over why your child has change beyond recognition, and did so many things against your wish…

Please do not give up!

Recall what he said: “If I fail, I will try again and again and again. It’s not the end. It all matters on how you going to finish. Are you going to finish strong? You will find the strength to get back.”

On a separate note;

In previous post, i have discussed about the role and elements that a good teacher (educator) Read the rest of this entry »