CHEM1111 Worksheet 1
Model 1: Writing numbers in scientific notation
Calculations in chemistry often use numbers that are very large or very small, so it is not practical
to write the number out in full. This problem is often addressed by using prefixes to indicate
smaller or larger quantities (examples we use every day are 1 metre = 100 centimetres and 1000
grams = 1 kilogram). When performing calculations, it is more common to use scientific notation,
in which numbers are written in the form a × 10b. It is important to be able to convert between
prefixes and scientific notation. Common prefixes are shown in the tables below.
Prefix Symbol Exponential Prefix Symbol Exponential
Tera T 1012 Deci d 10−1
Giga G 109 Centi c 10−2
Mega M 106 Milli m 10−3
Kilo k 103 Micro μ 10−6
Hecto h 102 Nano n 10−9
Deca da 101 Pico p 10−12
Whenever you perform a calculation or conversion, it is essential that you consider the number of
significant figures that you give in your answer. For revision of significant figures, have a look
here http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/iChem/significant_figures.shtml
Critical thinking questions
1. Fill in the following table:
Unit with prefix Scientific notation (no prefix)
5 ns
3.4 mCi
1.8 × 106 Bq
3 dL
1.5 × 10−12 s
18 μSv
348 nm
3 × 108 L
Model 2: Converting between different units
Often, more than one unit can be used to describe the same quantity. Conversion factors can be
used to interchange between units. It is most common to express quantities in terms of their SI
units, and using scientific notation. Important units and their conversion factors are shown in the
table below.
Quantity SI unit Alternative unit Conversion
Mass Kilogram (kg) Atomic mass unit (amu) 1 amu = 1.66 × 10−27 kg
Radiation activity Becquerel (Bq) Curie (Ci) 1 Ci = 3.7 × 1010 Bq
Energy Joule (J) Electron volt (eV) 1 eV = 1.6 × 10−19 J
Critical thinking questions
2. Convert the following quantities to the unit specified.
a. 1.00 kg in amu
b. 1.0 Bq in Ci
c. 1.0 J in eV
d. 5.69 x 10−25 kg in amu
e. 6.2 x 10−7 Ci in Bq
f. 4.8 x 10−17 J in eV
g. 1.0 GBq in Ci
h. 11 MeV in J
Model 3: The Atomic Symbol
The atomic symbol, X, is used to identify the element to which an atom belongs and the number of
electrons, protons and neutrons it contains.
𝐴 A neutral atom of an element has the same number of electrons and
𝑋
protons:
number of protons = number of electrons = atomic number = Z
𝑍 The mass number is equal to the number of protons plus the number of
neutrons:
number of neutrons = mass number − number of protons = A − Z
Ions have different numbers of protons and electrons and so have any overall charge. Anions have
gained electrons so have a negative charge. Cations have lost electrons so have a positive charge.
The overall charge is written as a superscript after the symbol:
𝐴 𝑛−
𝑍𝑋 is an anion: it has n more electrons than protons. 𝐴𝑍𝑋 𝑛+ is a cation: it has n fewer electrons
than protons
Critical thinking questions
3. How many electrons, protons and neutrons are there in each of the species below?
species number of electrons number of protons number of neutrons
24
(a) 12Mg
26
(b) 12Mg
24 2+
(c) 12Mg
79
(d) 35Br
81 −
(e) 35Br
4. Alpha and beta particles, and gamma rays are important in radioactive decay. How many
protons and neutrons are in each species? What are the charges and the (integer) masses of
the species below?
Species Alpha particle High speed electron Positron Gamma radiation
α or 42He or β− or −10β β+ or 01β 0
0𝛾
4 2+
2He
Number of protons
Number of
neutrons
Charge
Mass
Model 4: Isotopes
Each element found in nature occurs as a mixture of isotopes. Isotopic abundances can vary
appreciably on an astronomical scale – e.g. in the Sun versus the Earth. On Earth, however, natural
abundance varies little from place to place.
Table 1. Natural abundance and atomic masses for various isotopes
Natural Abundance
Isotope Atomic Mass (amu)
on Earth (%)
1
H 99.985 1.0078
2
H 0.015 2.0140
35
Cl 75.77 34.9689
37
Cl 24.23 36.9659
1 amu = 1.6606 x 10−24 g
Critical thinking questions
5. Describe what the isotopes of hydrogen have in common and also how they are different.
6. If you select one chlorine atom at random, what is the mass of that atom most likely to be (in
amu)?
7. What is the mass (in amu) of 100 35Cl atoms? Of 100 37Cl atoms?
8. Based on the atomic mass of 35Cl and 37Cl, and their natural abundance on earth, calculate
the molecular mass of chlorine. How does this value compare to the molecular mass given
on the periodic table?
