What is the percent composition of oxyen in carbon dioxide?

Question

What is the percent composition of oxyen in carbon dioxide?

Answer 1

General approach:

1.         Calculate the molar mass, M, of the compound.

2.         Multiply the molar mass of each element by the number of the element atoms in the molecule and divide the product by the molar mass of the compound.

3.         Multiply the quotient by 100 to convert the proportion into a percent.

Specific calculation:

1.         Molar mass of CO2 = (12.0107)*1 + (15.9994)*2 = 44.0095 g/mole

2.         Molar mass of 2 oxygen atoms: (15.9994)*2 = 31.9988 g/mole

3.         Percent oxygen in CO2: (31.9988/44.0095)*100 = 72.7%