In writing this website my aim is to create a useful website of essential mathematical equations for first year chemists. Some equations will just be stated but the more complicated ones where the theory behind them is essential to understanding and remebering them will be explained.
As Chemists we cannot escape using Mathematics. Especially in Physical chemistry where a lot of the theories are made up of mathematical relationships derived from sets of experimental data. Mathematics aims to provide accurate representations of what phenonmenon without having to enter a laboratory.
The first equation emphasised as important at A-level is n=m/M. This mathematical relationship combined with n=CxV are essential equations for finally understanding quantitatively what really happens when you react two substances together. In secondary school you mix things together and see them react but without the mathematics so much knowledge is beyond reach.
Without mathematics we would not be able to calculate yield i.e how effiecient a reaction is which is essential to industries which must find the most cost effective way of extracting of producing the desired product:
Yield = Number of moles of product/Expected number of moles of product
I hope in this brief introduction I have justified the use of mathematics in chemistry and have persuaded you to read on
Equations to calculate frequency, wavenumber, photon energy and effective nuclear charge:
How to calculate Bond and Lattice Enthalpies:
How to calculate Electronegativities, Dipole moments and Extinction co-efficients:
Equations to explain the behaviour of Gases: