Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Paranaque City
Self-Learning Modules
GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 Quarter 1 Week 2
Name:_________________________Grade & Section:____________Score:_________
Teacher:______________________________________________Date:______________
ISOTOPES: WHAT ARE THEY?

Introduction

In the previous module, we have studied about the classifications of matter. One of the classifications
is pure substances where elements belong.
We have said that elements are substances made up of one kind of matter. We can easily know these
118 elements if we look at our periodic table and try to get to know them. If we study these elements closely,
some of them have “twin” elements and these “twins” also exist in nature. This so-called “twin” elements are
what we call isotopes.
In this part of the module, we will try to get to know some of the common isotopes and how they are
useful to organisms particularly to mankind.

Learning Competencies
- Recognize common isotopes and their uses.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, you should be able to
- Describe what isotopes are
- Identify some common isotopes of some elements
- Give the uses of some common isotopes

Let’s Recall
Instructions: Give the names of the following symbols of elements. Write your answers on the answer
sheet.
1. Mg ____________________ 6. F ___________________
2. Cl ____________________ 7. Ca ___________________
3. Co ____________________ 8. W ___________________
4. Cu ____________________ 9. Hg ___________________
5. Na ____________________ 10.Ag ___________________

Let’s Understand
May scientists were interested in studying the very nature of atoms. Atoms are the smallest particles
of matter, and they are the smallest representatives of elements. Studies on the masses of atoms showed that
there are atoms of the same element, but they have different masses. These species of the same element but
with different masses are what we call isotopes. But what causes difference in masses between similar
elements? Let us find out!
If you can remember, atoms of elements are composed of sub-atomic particles namely protons,
neutrons, and electrons. The protons are the positive charge subatomic particles, the electron is said to be
negative while the neutrons do not have charges. The protons and the neutrons are found at the center of an
atom or its nucleus and together they account for the mass number (A) of every element. The electrons are
found outside of the nucleus. Each element has its own specific number of protons. and this is referred to as the
atomic number (Z).
In writing chemical symbols of elements for example, chemists use a notation where the symbol of the
element is present, and superscripts and subscripts are also written. The superscript is normally assigned for the
mass number (A) and the subscript is for the atomic number (Z). Consider the notation below.
A
ZX Mass Number
Atomic Number
 When atoms of the same element have different mass numbers, then the elements are called isotopes.
According to John Dalton’s Atomic Theory, all atoms of the same element are identical. In the case of isotopes,
they are identical only in the number of protons which make it basically the same elements. However, when
these identical atoms have different numbers of neutrons (thus, different mass numbers), then you have an
isotope. Hydrogen, (H), our lightest element ever found in nature, have three (3) naturally occurring isotopes.
Consider the illustration of the isotopes of hydrogen below.

The lightest hydrogen is known as protium because it only has a proton at its nucleus, while deuterium
and tritium have 1 and 2 neutrons respectively.
There are about 250 isotopes naturally existing in nature and more than 1 000 isotopes that are made
in nuclear reactors. In the field of medicine for example, there are several isotopes which are extensively applied
and used. Cobalt-60 is one of them which is used in cancer therapy. Another is Iodine-121 and this is used in
goiter therapy. Below is table of some other isotopes and their commons uses.

Isotopes Common Uses

Cobalt-57 Used as a tracer to diagnose pernicious anemia

Copper-67 When injected to monoclonal antibodies into a cancer patient,

helps the antibodies bind to and destroy tumor

Carbon-11 Tagged onto glucose to monitor organs during a PET scan

Carbon-14 Study metabolism changes for patients with diabetes, gout, and
anemia. It is also used in carbon dating of organisms and
substances

Thallium-201 Used to determine the damage in heart tissues and detection of

tumors

Some of the isotopes above are stable and some are not. When an isotope is unstable it will decay over
time and eventually it will turn into another isotope or element. Unstable isotopes are also called radioactive
isotopes or radioisotopes. However, most elements that are found in nature are made up of stable isotopes.

Let’s Apply
Instructions: Below are 5 other examples of isotopes. Research about their uses
using the world wide web.
1. Americium-241
2. Strontium-85
3. Cesium-137
4. Cadmium-109

Day 2
CHEMICAL FORMULAS, STRUCTURAL FORMULAS AND MODELS

Learning Competency
- Represent compounds using chemical formulas, structural formulas, and models.

Learning Objectives
- Differentiate chemical formulas from structural formulas.
- Write chemical formulas of compounds correctly.

2
 Let’s Understand

We define compound as a substance produced through chemical combination of two or more elements
that are held together by a chemical bond. In order to represent the composition of any compound, chemists
use a chemical formula to show the correct ratios in which the atoms combine.
A chemical formula contains the symbol of the element and radical (also polyatomic ions) as well as
the number of atoms of each element present in a compound. Usually, the number of atoms of an element in a
compound is written as a numerical subscript to the right of the symbol of the element.
In writing chemical formulas, it is important that we should know that the correct symbols of the
elements and the radicals and their corresponding valence or oxidation numbers. But what is an oxidation
number?
The oxidation number refers to the combining capacity of an atom; it is usually written as a numerical
superscript which can either be positive or negative. Oxidations numbers is also the result or the charge when
an atom either loses or gains electrons.
If you can also recall, atoms have specific valence numbers which denote the number of electrons in
the outermost energy level. The word valence simple means outermost. Thus, if the number of valence electrons
of an atom is two, then it is likely that the oxidation number of that atom is positive two (+2).

There is also this what we call radicals (also polyatomic ions). These are atoms or a group of elements
which act as one or a single atom in a chemical reaction. You can find a list of polyatomic ions in the periodic
table if you have one. Below are some examples of radicals.

We also have the valency of some common elements. Refer to the table below. It can be noted that
some of the elements have variable oxidation numbers.

Rules in Writing Chemical Formulas

1. The Criss-Cross Rule - A compound is electrically neutral: the total number of protons is equal
to the total number of electrons. The sum of the positive and negative valences should be equal to zero for
a compound to be electrically neutral. The positive ion (cation) is written first, followed by the negative ion
(anion).

3
 For example, from the table above, aluminum has a +3-valence number and oxygen has a valence
number of – 2. To write the correct chemical formula, we perform the crisscross and drop the signs of the
charges. (Please note that the equations are not balanced.)

Al +3 + O -2 Al2O3

2. When the valence number is one, the subscript 1 is not written. Consider the example below.
Na +1 + O -2 Na2O

3. If the subscript of a radical is two or greater, the radical must be enclosed in the parenthesis. Study the
examples below.
NH4 +1 + S -2 (NH4)2S

Al+3 + CO3-2 Al2 (CO3)3

4. All subscripts must be reduced to lowest terms except for molecular or covalent compounds. Consider
the example given below.

Al+3 + PO4-3 AlPO4

Let’s Apply!
Instructions: Complete the table below with the correct chemical formulas. The first one is given as an
example in filling up this table.
Radicals CO3-2 ClO-1 PO4-3
Mg+2 MgCO3
Na+1
Fe+3
NH4+1
Al+3

What are Structural Formulas?

The structural formula of a chemical compound is a graphic representation of the molecular structure
(determined by structural chemistry methods), showing how the atoms are possibly arranged in the real three-
dimensional space. The chemical bonding within the molecule is also shown, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unlike chemical formulas, which have a limited number of symbols and are capable of only limited descriptive
power, structural formulas provide a more complete geometric representation of the molecular structure. Look
at the example of a structural formula below.

We will not be writing structural formulas in this part of the module. We will deal with extensively in
another module.
There is another way of representing compounds and this is through molecular models. Just like
structural formula, a molecular model shows how atoms are arranged in real three-dimensional space. In a way,
molecular models depict the actual arrangement of the atoms or elements in a chemical compound. One can
construct molecular models with the help of structural formulas. Look at closely the examples below. Again, we
will be dealing with how to construct these models in another module.

4
 Days 3-4
CHEMICAL NOMENCLATURE

Chemical nomenclature is the term given to the naming of compounds. It is used to identify a chemical
species by means of written or spoken words. It is a useful means for communication among chemists. The
name of the compound contains within itself an implied relationship to the structure of the compound. This
helps the reader or listener deduce the structure (and thus the identity) of the compound. But this purpose
requires a system of principles and rules, the application of which gives rise to a systematic nomenclature.
Learning Competency
- Name compounds given their formula and write formula given the name of the compound
Learning Objectives
- Name the compounds based on their chemical formulas
- Write the chemical formulas based on the chemical names

Let’s Understand
In naming compounds, you must decide first whether you are looking at an ionic compound or a
molecular compound. We know that metals combined with nonmetals will produce compounds that are ionic.
Nonmetals combined with nonmetals will produce compounds that are said to be molecular.
For example: MgCl2 would be ionic because it has the chloride ion which is a nonmetal combined with
magnesium which is a metal. Metals combined with nonmetals produce ionic compounds.

Naming Ions
Ions are charged particles. This happens when an atom/element either gives up or accepts electrons.
When an atom loses its electrons, it becomes positively charged called cations. On the other hand, when it
accepts electrons, the atom becomes negatively charged called anion.
In naming cations, write the name of the metal (metals are givers of electrons) and then add the word
ion. Check the examples below.
Illustrative Examples
Mg+2 – Magnesium ion
+3
Al – Aluminum ion
In naming anions, change the ending of the name of the nonmetal to -ide and add the word ion. See
the examples below.
O-2 – Oxide ion
-3
N – Nitride ion
Nomenclature of Binary Ionic Compounds
A binary ionic compound is made up of two different elements. There can be one of each element such
as in NaCl or KF. There can also be several of each element such as Na 2O or AlBr3. Please remember that all
elements involved in this lesson have ONLY ONE charge.
Points to remember about naming a compound from its formula
1. The order for names in a binary compound is first the cation, then the anion.
2. Use the name of cation directly from the periodic table.
3. The name of the anion will be made from the root of the element's name plus the suffix "-ide."
Example: Write the name of this formula: H2S
Steps Results
1 Look at the first element and name it Hydrogen
2 Look at second element. Use the root of its full name sulfide
(which is sulf-) plus the ending "-ide."
These two steps give the full name of H2S. Notice that the presence of the subscript is ignored. Now,
there are metals, specifically transition metals, that can have more than one charge or oxidation number like
Fe+2 and Fe+3. There are two ways of naming these ionic compounds that contain a variable oxidation number –
the classical system and the stock system.
A. The Classical System - The “ic” and “ous” is added to the root word of the Latin name of the cation

5
 followed by adding “ide” to the nonmetallic anion. The “ic” ending indicates the higher oxidation
number while the “ous” indicates the lower oxidation number.
Examples: Fe+2 in FeCl2 – Ferrous chloride
Fe+3 in FeCl3 - Ferric chloride
B. The Stock System - In this system, name the metal remains as is and Roman numerals are used to
designate the different cations of the element to indicate the oxidation number of the metal. Roman
numerals are enclosed in parenthesis.
Examples: Co+2 in CoCO3 - Cobalt (II) carbonate
Co+3 in Co2(CO3)3 - Cobalt (III) carbonate
Nomenclature of Binary Molecular Compounds
Binary Molecular compounds are compounds containing two nonmetals. When naming these
compounds, we follow a set of rules.
Rule 1. Indicate the number of atoms of each element present. This is done with the use
of Greek prefixes for numbers.
Mono – 1 Hexa -6
Di –2 Hepta - 7
Tri –3 Octa -8
Tetra – 4 Nona - 9
Penta - 5 Deca - 10
Example : N2O4 - Dinitrogen tetroxide

Rule 2. The prefix mono is not used for the first element in the chemical formula.
Example: CO2 – Carbon dioxide (not monocarbon dioxide)
Rule 3. If the prefix ends in -a and followed by the vowel o-, you drop the -a in correctly
naming the compound.
Example: N2O5 – Dinitrogen pentoxide (not Dinitrogen pentaoxide)

Nomenclature of Acids and Bases

For the purposes of naming acids and bases, we will classify these chemicals into three categories:
binary acids, ternary acids (sometimes called oxyacids), and bases.
Binary Acids
Binary acids contain hydrogen and one other nonmetallic element. Their names follow the pattern of
"hydro + “elementic” acid" where element is replaced by the root of the name of the element. These acids
contain no oxygen. Here are some examples.
HF hydrofluoric acid
H2S hydrosulfuric acid
HBr hydrobromic acid
Note that the names of binary acids do not indicate how many hydrogen atoms are in the formula. That is
determined by the valence of the other element.
Ternary or Oxyacids
Ternary acids are composed of 3 or more elements namely hydrogen, an element which is mostly a
nonmental, and oxygen (thus the name oxy acids). In naming these acids, we refer to the names of the
polyatomic ions or radicals. If the name of the radical ends in
- ate, change this to -ic acid
- ite, change this to -ous acid
See examples of ternary acids below and their corresponding names.
H2SO4 (from SO4-2 – sulfate ion) - Sulfuric acid
HNO3 (from NO3-1 – nitrate ion) - Nitric acid
HClO2 (from ClO2 – Chlorite ion) - Chlorous acid
Bases
Bases are simply named as ionic compounds containing the hydroxide ion. So, to name these
compounds, first name of the metal remains the same and then add hydroxide. Here are some examples.
Chemical Formula Chemical Name

6
 NaOH sodium hydroxide
Ca(OH)2 calcium hydroxide
Fe(OH)3 Iron (III) hydroxide

Let’s Apply!
Instructions: Name the following compounds correctly. Write your answers on your answer
sheet.
Chemical Formula of Compounds Name
1. PCl3
2. SO3
3. Ba(OH)2
4. KMnO4
5. HgI2
Let’s Evaluate (Assessment)
Instructions: Answer each part as directed. Use your answer sheet.
A. Complete the table below with the correct formula
Ions/Radical SO3-2 ClO3-1
+2
1. Zn
2. Al+3
3. Li+1
4. NH4+1
B. Give the correct chemical name or write the correct chemical formula.
Chemical Formula Chemical Name
1.Al(CH3COO)3
2. Dinitrogen tetroxide
3. Ca(CN)2
4. Ferric phosphite

Let’s Create!
Look for common products that you find at home. Research about the chemical composition of the
product. For example, a toothpaste. What are the ingredients of the product? Now, determine the percent
composition of the product. Create an infographic about the product highlighting the benefits of the product
because of its percent composition. Refer to the rubric below for grading.
Criteria 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points
Content Presented 5 accurate Presented 4 accurate Presented 3 accurate Presented 2 accurate
and interesting facts and interesting facts and interesting facts and interesting facts
Graphics Selection, color, Selection, color, Selection, color, Selection, color,
shape and shape, and shape, and shape, and
arrangement arrangement arrangement do not arrangement are
contribute to the contribute some contribute some irrelevant or
appeal and meaning meaning for product meaning for product distracting for
of the product product
References All the 5 facts have All the 4 facts have All the 3 facts have All the 2 facts have
sources identified sources identified sources identified sources identified
End of Module
References
https://study.com/academy/lesson/radioactive-isotope-definition-uses.html
https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/isotopes.php#:~:text=Interesting%20Facts%20about%20Isotop
es,can%20form%20water%20with%20oxygen.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-isotopes-definition-types-examples.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oouv5FJXEGU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmjg7lq4m4o
Module No. 12 Chemical Nomenclature, Project EASE - Chemistry, Department of Education