How can I find the percent composition of (NH4)2S?

Question

51006 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2014-08-06T19:14:54

You calculate the mass of each atom in a formula unit, divide by the formula mass, and multiply by 100 %.

For calculation purposes, we can write the formula of (NH₄)₂S as N₂H₈S.

Mass of N = 2 atoms N × #(14.01"u")/(1"atom N")# = 28.02 u

Mass of H = 8 atoms H × #(1.008"u")/(1"atom H")# = 8.064 u

Mass of S = 1 atom S × #(32.06"u")/(1"atom S")# = 32.06 u

Mass of (NH₄)₂S = (28.01 + 8.064 + 32.06) u = 68.144 u

% S =#(28.02"u")/(68.144"u")# × 100 % = 41.12 %

% H =#(8.064"u")/(68.144"u")# × 100 % = 11.83 %

% N =#(32.06"u")/(68.144"u")# × 100 % = 47.05 %