How do you calculate the percentage composition of #(NH_4)_2CO_3#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-04-04T00:36:02

#29.16%N, 8.39%H, 12.5%C, 49.95%O#

Calculate the total mass of the compound by adding together the mass of each atom.

#14.007gmol^-1 * 2 + 1.008gmol^-1 * 8 + 12.011gmol^-1 + 15.999gmol^-1 * 3 = 96.086gmol^-1#

To calculate the percentage composition of an element,

#M_e/M_t * 100%#

where #M_e# is the mass of the element and #M_t# is the total mass of the compound.

#N -> (28.014gmol^-1)/(96.086gmol^-1)*100% = 29.16%#

#H -> (8.064gmol^-1)/(96.086gmol^-1)*100% = 8.39%#

#C -> (12.011gmol^-1)/(96.086gmol^-1)*100% = 12.5%#

#O -> (47.997gmol^-1)/(96.086gmol^-1)*100% = 49.95%#