Scientific Tutor

 

The last step we are going to address in this particular conversion map is the conversion to atoms. Converting between atoms and molecules is much easier than the steps that we have done before. However, it seems to many students because of that they get thrown off and have a difficult time. This conversion is all about how many of each element are in a particular substance. Check out the examples below for a more detailed explanation.

 

If we wanted to say how many atoms of Br are in NBr₃ then we would say 3. Now the only difference with these conversions is we have to turn that statement into a ratio between the molecule (NBr₃) and the atom (Br).

1 NBr3

3 Br

or

3 Br

1 NBr3

 

We can also do this for molecules that have only one atom of one element. It just looks kind of silly so most teachers and books will not show it to you. Lets say we had the molecule Ni. How many atoms of Ni are in the molecule of Ni? 1 atom of Ni for every 1 molecule of Ni.

1 Ni

1 Ni

or

1 Ni

1 Ni

 

Now the above may look trivial and painfully obvious but believe it or not a lot of students run into problems with the above ratio and it is nothing to be ashamed of. It is hard for people to describe and therefore it is hard for students to understand correctly. In these special cases where there is only 1 atom per 1 molecule then you don’t really need to do any extra math steps. However, I will show you to them in my demonstrated examples to make sure everyone understands what is going on.

 

This last step in our conversion map is the arrow furthest to the right (the purple text).

 

 

VIDEO Converting Between Grams and Atoms Demonstrated Example 1: If you have 12g of CH₄ how many atoms of hydrogen do you have? You will need the periodic table for this question.

 

Step 1:

What information does the problem give you?

Answer: 12g CH₄

 

Step 2:

What units does the question ask for?

Answer: ? atoms H

 

Step 3:

How many conversions must we do?

Answer: Look at the conversion map. We pass through 3 arrows when we go from Grams —> Moles —> Molecules —> Atoms. 3 arrows = 3 conversion

 

Step 4:

How do we set up the problem?

Answer: First box is info given, next 3 boxes are the 3 conversion, last box (fifth box) is what the question asked for.

12 g CH4				atoms H
1

 

Step 5:

What is the first conversion?

Answer: molar mass (grams to mole ratio) of CH₄ found on the periodic table

 

Step 6:

What is the molar mass of CH₄?

Answer: about 16 g/ 1 mol

 

Step 7:

How do we set that up in the conversion?

Answer: units first, set up the units that need to cancel out (in red)

12 g CH4	1 mol			atoms H
	16 g

 

Step 8:

What conversion should we use next?

Answer: Avogadro’s number (moles to molecules ratio) found on the conversion map. 6.022 * 10²³ molecules / 1 mol

12 g CH4	1 mol	6.022 * 1023 molec		atoms H
	16 g	1 mol

 

Step 9:

What conversion should I use next?

Answer: the atom to molecule ratio (4 H to 1 CH₄)

12 g CH4	1 mol	6.022 * 1023 molec	4 atoms H =	atoms H
	16 g	1 mol	1 molec CH4

 

Step 10:

How do I know when I am done with the conversions?

Answer: All other units but the ones in the answer are crossed out through cancellation. For this example atoms and H remain not crossed out.

12 g CH4	1 mol	6.022 * 1023 molec	4 atoms H =	atoms H
	16 g	1 mol	1 molecCH4

 

Step 11:  Simplify

12	1	6.022 * 1023	4 atoms H =	atoms H
	16	1	1

 

Step 12:

How do I calculate?

Answer: (12 * 6.022 * 10²³ *4) / (16) = 1.81 * 10²⁴

 

Step 13:

COMPLETE ANSWER: 1.81 * 10²⁴ atoms of H

 

VIDEO Converting Between Grams and Atoms Demonstrated Example 2: 6.4 * 10²⁵ atoms of Fe is how many grams of Fe? You will need the periodic table for this question.

 

UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT ABLE TO SHOW THIS DEMONSTRATED EXAMPLE ABOVE IN TEXT BECUASE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE WEBPAGE.

 

PRACTICE PROBLEMS: Complete grams and atoms conversions. Make sure you have this periodic table link open when answering these questions and use the conversion map  if you need it.

 

How many F atoms are in 20g of CaF₂?

Answer: 3.08 * 10²³ atoms F

 

If you have 62 grams of Chromium how many atoms is that?

Answer: 7.18 * 10²³ atoms Cr

 

If you have 7.89 * 10²⁵ atoms of Boron how many grams is that?

Answer: 1.415 * 10³ g B …or… 1415 g B

 

How many grams of Li₂S can you make from 1.3 * 10²⁴ atoms of Li?

Answer: 49.6 g Li₂S