How can percent composition be calculated?
1 Answer
Jun 30, 2014
Here is an example for the compound C2HO4
You will first need to find the molar mass of the compound.
C = 2 x 12 = 24
O = 1 x 16 = 16
H = 4 x 1 = 4
Total mass = 40 amu
To find the percent composition you divide each part by the whole and multiply by 100 to convert to a %.
C = (24/44) x 100 = 54.5%
O = (16/44) x 100 = 36.4%
H = (4/44) x 100 = 9.1%
Percent composition can also be calculated using experimental data. The video below shows you how to do that type of calculation.
