Question

A person has a sample of a compound which has a formula that is C10H10. What percent carbon by mass is the compound? (Note this is not a real compound).

Answer 1

Answer

Percent Carbon in C10H10 = 92.24 %

Explanation

To know the percent carbon by mass in C10H10, We need to first calculate the molecular mass of C10H10

The molar mass of Carbon, C = 12.01

The molar mass of Hydrogen, H = 1.01

The molecular mass of C10H10 =

$\begin{gathered} =\mleft(12.01\times10\mright)+(1.01\times10) \\ =120.10+10.10 \\ =130.20\text{ g} \end{gathered}$

The total number Carbon in the compound is 10

Therefore, mass in gram of carbon in the compound = 12.01 x 10 = 120. 10 g

Percent Carbon in C10H10 =

$\begin{gathered} =\frac{120.10}{130.20}\times100 \\ =92.24\text{ \%} \end{gathered}$