NCERT Solutions for Class 9th Science Chapter 3: Atoms & Molecules
Updated on November 6, 2025 | By Learnzy Academy
Q1. A 0.24 g sample of a compound of oxygen and boron was found by analysis to contain 0.096 g of boron and 0.144 g of oxygen. Calculate the percentage composition of the compound by weight.
Total mass of the compound = 0.24 g
Mass of boron = 0.096 g
Mass of oxygen = 0.144 g
Percentage of boron = (0.096 / 0.24) × 100 = 40%
Percentage of oxygen = (0.144 / 0.24) × 100 = 60%
Therefore, the percentage composition of the compound is:
Boron = 40%
Oxygen = 60%
Q2. When 3.0 g of carbon is burnt in 8.00 g of oxygen, 11.00 g of carbon dioxide is produced. What mass of carbon dioxide will be formed when 3.00 g of carbon is burnt in 50.00 g of oxygen? Which law of chemical combination will govern your answer?
From the data:
3.0 g of carbon + 8.0 g of oxygen ----> 11.0 g of carbon dioxide
This means 3 g of carbon requires 8 g of oxygen to form 11 g of carbon dioxide.
Now, if 3 g of carbon is burnt in 50 g of oxygen, carbon is the limiting reactant because it can combine only with 8 g of oxygen. The remaining oxygen will be left unused.
So, the amount of carbon dioxide formed will still be 11 g.
Mass of carbon dioxide formed = 11.0 g
Law governing the reaction:
This is governed by the Law of Constant Proportion, which states that a chemical compound always contains the same elements in the same fixed ratio by mass.
Q3. What are polyatomic ions? Give examples.
Polyatomic ions are ions that contain two or more atoms joined together by covalent bonds and carry a net positive or negative charge. These atoms act as a single charged unit during chemical reactions.
Examples:
- Ammonium ion (NH₄⁺)
- Hydroxide ion (OH⁻)
- Nitrate ion (NO₃⁻)
- Sulphate ion (SO₄²⁻)
- Carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻)
Thus, polyatomic ions are groups of atoms that behave as one charged particle.
Q4. Write the chemical formulae of the following: (a) Magnesium chloride (b) Calcium oxide (c) Copper nitrate (d) Aluminium chloride (e) Calcium carbonate
(a) Magnesium chloride ----> MgCl₂
(b) Calcium oxide ----> CaO
(c) Copper nitrate -----> Cu(NO₃)₂
(d) Aluminium chloride ----> AlCl₃
(e) Calcium carbonate ------> CaCO₃
Q5. Give the names of the elements present in the following compounds: (a) Quick lime (b) Hydrogen bromide (c) Baking powder (d) Potassium sulphate
(a) Quick lime (CaO) ----> Calcium and Oxygen
(b) Hydrogen bromide (HBr) ----> Hydrogen and Bromine
(c) Baking powder (NaHCO₃) -----> Sodium, Hydrogen, Carbon, and Oxygen
(d) Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄) ------> Potassium, Sulphur, and Oxygen
Q6. Calculate the molar mass of the following substances: (a) Ethyne, C₂H₂ (b) Sulphur molecule, S₈ (c) Phosphorus molecule, P₄ (Atomic mass of phosphorus = 31) (d) Hydrochloric acid, HCl (e) Nitric acid, HNO₃
(a) Ethyne (C₂H₂)
= (2 × 12) + (2 × 1)
= 24 + 2
= 26 g/mol
(b) Sulphur molecule (S₈)
= 8 × 32
= 256 g/mol
(c) Phosphorus molecule (P₄)
= 4 × 31
= 124 g/mol
(d) Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
= (1 × 1) + (1 × 35.5)
= 1 + 35.5
= 36.5 g/mol
(e) Nitric acid (HNO₃)
= (1 × 1) + (1 × 14) + (3 × 16)
= 1 + 14 + 48
= 63 g/mol