Volumetric problem-solving summary

A scheme summarizing the approach to solving the three-step problems in this module is shown below. Using this scheme concentration and volume of a known substance can be related to concentration or volume of an unknown substance if the two substances are involved in a reaction for which the balanced equation is known.

n = c × V (mol
–1 × 
= mol)
from known volume and concentration
Step 1: Calculate the amount in moles of the known substance using


For aA + bB → cC + dD
n(A) = n(B) = n(C) = n(D)
a b c d
A, B, C and D substances; a, b, c, d coefficients
Step 2: Relate calculated n(known) to n(unknown) using any pair from


c = n/V
if volume is known and
concentration is unknown
V = n/c
if volume is unknown and
concentration is known
Step 3: From n(unknown) calculate the desired quantity using