Determine the percent composition by mass of H2O.

Study for the Honors Chemistry Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Enhance your understanding with detailed explanations and hints. Prepare to excel in your exam!

Multiple Choice

Determine the percent composition by mass of H2O.

Explanation:
The percent composition by mass is found by comparing the mass of each element in one mole of the compound to the compound’s molar mass. For water, there are 2 hydrogens and 1 oxygen per molecule. Using H = 1.008 g/mol and O = 16.00 g/mol, the molar mass of H2O is 2(1.008) + 16.00 = 18.016 g/mol. The hydrogen mass is 2.016 g, so H% = (2.016 / 18.016) × 100 ≈ 11.19%. The oxygen mass is 16.00 g, so O% = (16.00 / 18.016) × 100 ≈ 88.81%. The percentages sum to 100%, and the larger oxygen mass reflects its greater atomic weight. Therefore, the distribution is about 11.19% hydrogen and 88.81% oxygen.

The percent composition by mass is found by comparing the mass of each element in one mole of the compound to the compound’s molar mass. For water, there are 2 hydrogens and 1 oxygen per molecule. Using H = 1.008 g/mol and O = 16.00 g/mol, the molar mass of H2O is 2(1.008) + 16.00 = 18.016 g/mol. The hydrogen mass is 2.016 g, so H% = (2.016 / 18.016) × 100 ≈ 11.19%. The oxygen mass is 16.00 g, so O% = (16.00 / 18.016) × 100 ≈ 88.81%. The percentages sum to 100%, and the larger oxygen mass reflects its greater atomic weight. Therefore, the distribution is about 11.19% hydrogen and 88.81% oxygen.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy