Chemistry · Year 11 · NESA Aligned

HSC Chemistry Formulas

Every formula you need, with variable definitions, units, and tips for the HSC exam.

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MOD 2 Quantitative Chemistry 9 formulas
Mole–Mass Relationship
n = mM
also: m = n × M  |  M = m ÷ n
m n M
nnumber of moles unit: mol
mmass unit: g
Mmolar mass unit: g mol⁻¹ (sum of atomic masses from periodic table)
HSC tip: Always convert mass to grams before substituting. For compounds, add up all atomic masses: M(H₂O) = 2(1.008) + 16.00 = 18.016 g mol⁻¹.
Mod 2MoleStoichiometry
Mole–Particles Relationship
n = NNA
also: N = n × NA
N n NA
Nnumber of particles (atoms, molecules, ions, formula units), no unit
NAAvogadro's number = 6.022 × 10²³ mol⁻¹
HSC tip: Specify what is being counted. 1 mol of H₂ contains 6.022 × 10²³ molecules, but 2 × 6.022 × 10²³ atoms.
Mod 2AvogadroParticles
Mole–Gas Volume Relationship
n = VVm
also: V = n × Vm
V n Vm
Vvolume of gas unit: L
Vmmolar volume depends on conditions:
STP (0°C, 100 kPa): Vm = 22.7 L mol⁻¹
SLC (25°C, 100 kPa): Vm = 24.8 L mol⁻¹
Common mistake: NSW HSC uses STP = 0°C and 100 kPa (not 1 atm). Always use 22.7 L mol⁻¹ unless the question specifies SLC. Check your data sheet.
Mod 2GasSTP/SLC
Concentration
c = nV
also: n = c × V  |  V = n ÷ c
n c V
cconcentration unit: mol L⁻¹ (also written M or mol/L)
nnumber of moles unit: mol
Vvolume of solution unit: L (convert mL ÷ 1000)
Unit trap: Volume must be in litres (L), not mL. 250 mL = 0.250 L. Write the conversion explicitly in your working.
Mod 2ConcentrationSolutionsTitration
Dilution Formula
c1V1 = c2V2
c1initial concentration unit: mol L⁻¹
V1volume of stock solution taken unit: L (or both in mL, units must match)
c2final (diluted) concentration unit: mol L⁻¹
V2final total volume unit: L (or both in mL)
Why it works: Dilution doesn't change the number of moles, only the volume increases. Since n = cV, n stays constant: c₁V₁ = c₂V₂.
Mod 2DilutionStandard Solutions
Percentage Composition by Mass
% = n × ArMr × 100
nnumber of that atom in the formula (subscript)
Arrelative atomic mass of the element, from periodic table
Mrrelative molecular mass (molar mass) of the compound
Example: % of O in H₂SO₄ (M = 98): % = (4 × 16.00 / 98.09) × 100 = 65.3%
Mod 2CompositionEmpirical Formula
Percentage Yield
% yield = actual yieldtheoretical yield × 100
actualmass (or moles) actually obtained in the experiment, unit: g or mol
theoreticalmass (or moles) calculated from stoichiometry (assuming 100% conversion), unit: g or mol
HSC note: Both values must be in the same unit (both grams or both moles). Always calculate theoretical yield first using the limiting reagent.
Mod 2YieldStoichiometry
Percentage Purity
% purity = mpuremsample × 100
mpuremass of pure substance in the sample, unit: g
msampletotal mass of impure sample unit: g
Common use: Used in gravimetric analysis and back-calculations. If a sample is 96.2% pure, then mpure = 0.962 × msample.
Mod 2PurityGravimetric
Stoichiometric Mole Ratio
nAnB = coeffAcoeffB
nAmoles of substance A in the reaction, unit: mol
nBmoles of substance B unit: mol
coeffstoichiometric coefficients from the balanced equation
4-step method: (1) Write balanced equation. (2) Find moles of known. (3) Apply mole ratio. (4) Convert moles of unknown to required unit.
Mod 2StoichiometryMole RatioLimiting Reagent
MOD 4 Drivers of Reactions, Calorimetry 2 formulas
Heat Energy (Calorimetry)
Q = mcΔT
Qheat energy absorbed or released, unit: J (divide by 1000 for kJ)
mmass of solution unit: g (assume 1 mL water ≈ 1 g unless stated)
cspecific heat capacity of water = 4.18 J g⁻¹ °C⁻¹ (given on HSC data sheet)
ΔTchange in temperature = Tfinal − Tinitialunit: °C
Sign convention: If temperature rises, the reaction is exothermic (heat released to solution, Q is positive here, but ΔHrxn is negative). Always state whether energy is released or absorbed.
Mod 4CalorimetryEnthalpyExothermicEndothermic
Molar Enthalpy Change
ΔH = −Qn
ΔHenthalpy change unit: kJ mol⁻¹ (negative = exothermic, positive = endothermic)
Qheat energy from calorimetry (Q = mcΔT), unit: kJ
nmoles of substance reacted (use limiting reagent), unit: mol
The negative sign: If Q is positive (solution warmed, heat released by reaction), ΔH must be negative (exothermic). The sign flip ensures the system's perspective is correct. Always convert Q to kJ before dividing.
Mod 4EnthalpyCalorimetryΔH
DATA Constants & Reference Values 4 values
HSC Chemistry Data Sheet, Key Values
NA Avogadro's number = 6.022 × 10²³ mol⁻¹
Vm Molar volume at STP (0°C, 100 kPa) = 22.7 L mol⁻¹
Vm Molar volume at SLC (25°C, 100 kPa) = 24.8 L mol⁻¹
cw Specific heat capacity of water = 4.18 J g⁻¹ °C⁻¹
Exam advice: These values are provided on the NESA HSC Chemistry reference sheet. You don't need to memorise them, but you do need to know when and how to use them.
Reference SheetConstants