Find the percentage mass composition of each element present in H₂C₂O₄
Answers
This is a worked example problem showing how to calculate mass percent composition. Percent composition indicates the relative amounts of each element in a compound. For each element, the mass percent formula is:
% mass = (mass of element in 1 mole of the compound) / (molar mass of the compound) x 100%
Explanation:
The molar mass of a chemical is the sum of the masses of all the atoms in that one mole of the compound. The sum all the mass percentages should add up to hundred percent.
mass percent = (mass of solute / mass of solution) x 100%
H₂C₂O₄ also known as the oxalic acid has a molar mass = 90
Therefore, the percentage composition will be -
Percentage of H₂ = 2/90 × 100 = 2.22%
Percentage of C₂ = 24/90 × 100 =26.67%
Percentage of O₄ = 64/90 × 100 =71.11%