1. How To Solve a Word Problem in Chemistry

2. Step 1. Take a deep breath and relax.

3. Step 2. Determine and mark what is asked for in your problem make sure to include units. A piece of copper is placed in a graduated cylinder containing some water. The total volume of the water increases by 7.43 mL. What is the mass of the piece of copper in grams (density = 8.92 g/cm 3 )? Question: What is the mass of the piece of copper (g)?

4. Step 3. Identify and write down all givens and units given in the problem. A piece of copper is placed in a graduated cylinder containing some water. The total volume of the water increases by 7.43 mL. What is the mass of the piece of copper in grams (density = 8.92 g/cm 3 )? Question: What is the mass of the piece of copper? Givens : 1) Total water volume increases = 7.43 mL 2) Density of Copper = 8.92 g/ cm 3

5. Step 4. Write down the Givens for the problem. A piece of copper is placed in a graduated cylinder containing some water. The total volume of the water increases by 7.43 mL. What is the mass of the piece of copper in grams (density = 8.92 g/cm 3 )? Question : What is the mass of the piece of copper? Givens : 1) Total water volume increases = 7.43 mL 2) Density of Copper = 8.92 g/cm 3

6. Step 5. Find the equation necessary to solve the problem. A piece of copper is placed in a graduated cylinder containing some water. The total volume of the water increases by 7.43 mL. What is the mass of the piece of copper in grams (density = 8.92 g/cm 3 )? Question: What is the mass of the piece of copper? Givens : 1) Total water volume increases = 7.43 mL 2) Density of Copper = 8.92 g/cm 3 Equation : 1) Density (g/cm 3 ) * Volume (mL) = Mass (g)

7. Step 6. Check All Units Equation : 1) Density (g/cm 3 ) * Volume (mL) = Mass (g) Unit Check: 1) cm 3 is not the same unit as mL. Conversion: 1) 1 mL = 1 cm 3 ; 7.43 mL = 7.43 cm 3

8. Step 7. Put the variables in and solve the equation. Solution: 8.92 (g/cm 3 ) * 7.43 (cm 3 ) = Mass (g) Answer : Mass (g) = 66.3 (g)

9. Step 8. Recheck to determine if the units are the same as the problem and the answer seems reasonable. Recheck of units : Desired unit (gram) = Answer (grams)

10. A piece of copper is placed in a graduated cylinder containing some water. The total volume of the water increases by 7.43 mL. What is the mass of the piece of copper in grams (density = 8.92 g/cm 3 )? Question : What is the mass of the piece of copper? Givens : 1) Total water volume increases = 7.43 mL 2) Density of Copper = 8.92 g/cm 3 Equation : 1) Density (g/cm 3 ) * Volume (mL) = Mass (g) Unit Check : 1) cm 3 is not the same unit as mL. Conversion : 1) 1 mL = 1 cm 3 ; 7.43 mL = 7.43 cm 3 Solution : 1) 8.92 (g/cm 3 ) * 7.43 (cm 3 ) = Mass (g) Answer : Mass (g) = 66.3 (g) Recheck of units : Desired unit (gram) = Answer (grams)