Q17P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Does the percent by mass of each element in a compound depend on the amount of that element used to make the compound? Explain.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Yes, percent by mass of each element in a compound depends on the amount of that element used to make the compound.

Step 1: Mass percent of an element

Mass percent is calculated using the following formula: 

$\mathbf{Mass}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{percent}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{=}\frac{\mathbf{Mass}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{of}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{the}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{element}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{in}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{a}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{compound}\mathbf{ }}{\mathbf{Mass}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{of}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{the}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{compound}\mathbf{ }}\mathbf{\times }\mathbf{100}$

Step 2: Mass of each element in a compound

From the formula we can say that higher the mass of the element, higher will be its mass percentage. Thus, percent by mass of each element in a compound depends on the amount of that element used to make the compound.