How would you calculate the percent composition of nitric acid #HNO_3#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-04-07T03:42:29

Find the total mass of the nitric acid # HNO_3# Then divide the mass of each atom by the total mass to find the percentage.

# H = 1 xx 1 = 1g#
#N = 1 xx 14 = 14 g#
#O = 3 xx 16 = 48g#

Adding these total

# 1 + 14 + 48 = 63 g#

# % H = 1/63#

# 1/63 = 1.5% H

# % N = 14/63#

# 14/63 = 22% N

# % O = 48/63#

# 48/63 = 76% O