CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 1: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 1, 'Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry,' NCERT Solutions, offers a thorough exploration of fundamental chemical principles. This resource breaks down complex calculations, starting with determining molecular masses for common compounds like water, carbon dioxide, and methane. It further guides students through calculating the mass percentage of elements in compounds, using sodium sulphate as a practical example. A key focus is also placed on deriving empirical formulas from given mass percentages, with an oxide of iron serving as an illustrative case. These solutions are crafted to demystify intricate concepts and calculations, ensuring students develop a robust understanding of basic chemistry. They serve as an excellent tool for exam preparation, providing clear, accurate, and concise answers to practice questions, thereby reinforcing learning and building confidence for assessments.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 11
SubjectChemiry
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 1: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry

Chapter summary

Chapter 1 of the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry focuses on 'Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry.' This chapter's solutions guide students through essential calculations, including determining molecular masses of common substances, calculating the mass percentage of elements in compounds like sodium sulphate, and finding the empirical formula of iron oxides based on their elemental composition by mass. The exercises emphasize practical application of atomic and molecular mass concepts.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of molecular mass and calculate it for given compounds.
  • Determine the mass percentage of individual elements in a compound.
  • Calculate the empirical formula of a compound from its elemental composition by mass.
  • Apply atomic masses and molar masses in chemical calculations.
  • Relate mass percentages to the composition of chemical compounds.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Molecular Mass Calculation
  • Atomic Mass
  • Mass Percentage of Elements
  • Sodium Sulphate Composition
  • Empirical Formula Determination
  • Iron Oxide Composition
  • Percentage Composition by Mass
  • Chemical Formulae

Important topics

  • Molecular Mass Calculation
  • Mass Percentage of Elements
  • Empirical Formula Determination
  • Atomic Mass
  • Percentage Composition by Mass

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1.1

Calculate the molecular mass of the following:
  1. H<sub>2</sub>O
  2. CO<sub>2</sub>
  3. CH<sub>4</sub>
Solution:

The molecular mass of a compound is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in one molecule of the compound. We use the atomic masses of elements as follows: Hydrogen (H) ≈ 1.008 u, Carbon (C) ≈ 12.011 u, Oxygen (O) ≈ 16.00 u.

  1. H<sub>2</sub>O (Water):

    Molecular mass of H<sub>2</sub>O = (2 × Atomic mass of Hydrogen) + (1 × Atomic mass of Oxygen)

    = (2 \times 1.008 \text{ u}) + (1 \times 16.00 \text{ u})

    = 2.016 \text{ u} + 16.00 \text{ u}

    = 18.016 \text{ u}

    Rounded to two decimal places, the molecular mass is 18.02 u.

  2. CO<sub>2</sub> (Carbon Dioxide):

    Molecular mass of CO<sub>2</sub> = (1 × Atomic mass of Carbon) + (2 × Atomic mass of Oxygen)

    = (1 \times 12.011 \text{ u}) + (2 \times 16.00 \text{ u})

    = 12.011 \text{ u} + 32.00 \text{ u}

    = 44.011 \text{ u}

    Rounded to two decimal places, the molecular mass is 44.01 u.

  3. CH<sub>4</sub> (Methane):

    Molecular mass of CH<sub>4</sub> = (1 × Atomic mass of Carbon) + (4 × Atomic mass of Hydrogen)

    = (1 \times 12.011 \text{ u}) + (4 \times 1.008 \text{ u})

    = 12.011 \text{ u} + 4.032 \text{ u}

    = 16.043 \text{ u}

    Rounded to two decimal places, the molecular mass is 16.04 u.

Question 1.2

Calculate the mass percent of different elements present in sodium sulphate (Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>).
Solution:

The molecular formula of sodium sulphate is Na_2SO_4. First, we calculate the molar mass of sodium sulphate using the atomic masses: Sodium (Na) ≈ 23.0 g/mol, Sulphur (S) ≈ 32.066 g/mol, Oxygen (O) ≈ 16.00 g/mol.

Molar mass of Na_2SO_4 = (2 \times \text{Atomic mass of Na}) + (1 \times \text{Atomic mass of S}) + (4 \times \text{Atomic mass of O})

= (2 \times 23.0 \text{ g/mol}) + (1 \times 32.066 \text{ g/mol}) + (4 \times 16.00 \text{ g/mol})

= 46.0 \text{ g/mol} + 32.066 \text{ g/mol} + 64.0 \text{ g/mol}

= 142.066 \text{ g/mol}

The mass percentage of an element in a compound is calculated using the formula:

\text{Mass percent of an element} = \frac{\text{Mass of that element in the compound}}{\text{Molar mass of the compound}} \times 100\%

Now, we calculate the mass percentage for each element:

Mass percent of Sodium (Na):

= \frac{2 \times \text{Atomic mass of Na}}{\text{Molar mass of } Na_2SO_4} \times 100\%

= \frac{2 \times 23.0 \text{ g/mol}}{142.066 \text{ g/mol}} \times 100\%

= \frac{46.0}{142.066} \times 100\%

= 0.32379 \times 100\%

= 32.38%

Mass percent of Sulphur (S):

= \frac{1 \times \text{Atomic mass of S}}{\text{Molar mass of } Na_2SO_4} \times 100\%

= \frac{32.066 \text{ g/mol}}{142.066 \text{ g/mol}} \times 100\%

= 0.2257 \times 100\%

= 22.57%

Mass percent of Oxygen (O):

= \frac{4 \times \text{Atomic mass of O}}{\text{Molar mass of } Na_2SO_4} \times 100\%

= \frac{4 \times 16.00 \text{ g/mol}}{142.066 \text{ g/mol}} \times 100\%

= \frac{64.0}{142.066} \times 100\%

= 0.45049 \times 100\%

= 45.05%

The mass percentages are approximately Na: 32.38%, S: 22.57%, and O: 45.05%. The sum of these percentages is 32.38 + 22.57 + 45.05 = 100.00%.

Question 1.3

Determine the empirical formula of an oxide of iron which has 69.9% iron and 30.1% dioxygen by mass.
Solution:

We are given the percentage composition by mass of iron and oxygen in an iron oxide. We need to find the empirical formula, which represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in the compound. We will use the atomic masses: Iron (Fe) ≈ 55.85 g/mol, Oxygen (O) ≈ 16.00 g/mol.

Given:

% of iron by mass = 69.9 %

% of oxygen by mass = 30.1 %

Step 1: Convert percentage composition to moles.\nAssume we have 100 g of the compound. Then, we have 69.9 g of iron and 30.1 g of oxygen.

Relative moles of iron = \frac{\text{Mass of iron}}{\text{Atomic mass of iron}} = \frac{69.9 \text{ g}}{55.85 \text{ g/mol}} \approx 1.25 \text{ mol}

Relative moles of oxygen = \frac{\text{Mass of oxygen}}{\text{Atomic mass of oxygen}} = \frac{30.1 \text{ g}}{16.00 \text{ g/mol}} \approx 1.88 \text{ mol}

Step 2: Find the simplest whole-number ratio of moles.\nTo find the simplest ratio, we divide the number of moles of each element by the smallest number of moles calculated.

Smallest number of moles = 1.25 mol (from iron).

Ratio of iron = \frac{1.25 \text{ mol}}{1.25 \text{ mol}} = 1

Ratio of oxygen = \frac{1.88 \text{ mol}}{1.25 \text{ mol}} \approx 1.504

Step 3: Convert the ratio to whole numbers.\nThe ratio of iron to oxygen is approximately 1 : 1.5. To convert this to whole numbers, we multiply both numbers by 2.

Iron ratio (whole number) = 1 \times 2 = 2

Oxygen ratio (whole number) = 1.504 \times 2 \approx 3

The simplest whole-number ratio of iron to oxygen atoms is 2:3.

Therefore, the empirical formula of the iron oxide is Fe₂O₃.

Common mistakes

  • Errors in recalling or using correct atomic masses.
  • Incorrectly calculating the total mass of elements in a compound for mass percentage.
  • Mistakes in converting mass percentages to moles and finding the simplest whole-number ratio for empirical formulas.
  • Rounding errors during intermediate calculation steps.

Revision tips

  • Practice calculating molecular masses for a variety of compounds.
  • Work through mass percentage problems, ensuring you correctly identify the total molar mass.
  • Pay close attention to the steps involved in converting percentages to moles and then to the empirical formula.
  • Use the provided atomic masses consistently throughout your calculations.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the molecular mass of water (H₂O)? (Atomic mass of H = 1.008 u, O = 16.00 u)

Q2. In sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄), what is the mass percentage of Sulphur? (Atomic mass Na=23, S=32.066, O=16.00)

Q3. An oxide of iron contains 69.9% iron. What is the relative number of moles of iron in this compound?

Q4. What does the empirical formula represent?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of Chapter 1 'Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry' for Class 11?

Chapter 1 focuses on fundamental concepts like atomic mass, molecular mass, mass percentage of elements in compounds, and determining the empirical formula of substances.

How are molecular masses calculated in these NCERT Solutions?

Molecular masses are calculated by summing the atomic masses of all atoms present in the molecular formula of a compound, considering the number of atoms of each element.

What is mass percentage and how is it calculated?

Mass percentage of an element in a compound is the mass of that element present in 100 units of mass of the compound. It's calculated as (Mass of element / Molar mass of compound) × 100.

What is the difference between empirical formula and molecular formula?

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, while the molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule.

How do these solutions help in exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step methods for solving problems related to basic chemistry concepts, helping students understand the calculations and prepare effectively for exams.

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