Honors Chemistry Unit 4 – Chemical Formulas
Consider:



Why should every compound have its own unique name and formula?
Can we use laboratory data to determine the formula of a chemical compound?
What is the difference between an empirical formula and a molecular formula?
Learning Targets: Students will:
LAB # 5 – CHEMICAL FORMULAS.
 Write correct names and formulas for
IN THIS LAB YOU WILL:
chemical compounds.

 Determine the percent composition for

chemical compounds using GFW
calculations.
 Calculate empirical and molecular

formulas from provided and
experimental data.
React zinc and chloride and determine the
percent
composition
of
the
resulting
compound.
React copper and sulfur and determine the
percent
composition
of
the
resulting
compound.
Use the collected lab data to determine the
correct empirical formulas for zinc chloride and
copper sulfide.
DETERMINING EMPIRICAL FORMULAS:
 Experimentally determine the
empirical formulas for two chemical
compounds – zinc chloride and copper
sulfide.
KEY ACTIVITIES


Write correct chemical names and
formulas, calculate GFW and
percent composition and
determine empirical and molecular
formulas on worksheets and on a
Unit Test
Conduct chemical reactions in the
laboratory, collecting the data
needed to determine the empirical
formulas of two compounds.
KEY VOCABULARY:

Avogadro’s Number

Gram Formula Weight (GFW)

Percent Composition

Empirical Formula

Molecular Formula