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Chapter 3: Problem 36

Describe how the knowledge of the percent composition by mass of an unknown compound can help us identify the compound.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The knowledge of the percent composition by mass of an unknown compound can assist in identifying it, as each compound consists of a unique ratio of its constituent elements. This ratio can be compared to the ratios of known substances for identification. Alongside other chemical and physical properties, percent composition by mass can provide strong evidence about the identity of an unknown compound.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Percent Composition by Mass

Percent composition by mass is a measure of the percentage of the total mass of a compound that is due to each of its constituent elements. It is calculated using the formula: percent composition = (mass of element in 1 mole of compound / mass of 1 mole of compound) * 100.
02

Identifying Compounds

Percent composition by mass of an unknown compound can help identify the compound since each compound has a unique ratio of elements. Using this ratio and comparing it with known ratios, it can be determined what compound it is likely to be. This is often used in combination with other physical and chemical properties to confirm the identity of the compound.
03

Role of Percent Composition in Chemistry

Percent composition by mass is an important concept in chemistry because it relates the mass of individual elements to the mass of the whole compound. This can help in determining molecular and empirical formulas as well as in balancing chemical equations.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a food-flavor enhancer, has been blamed for "Chinese restaurant syndrome," the symptoms of which are headaches and chest pains. MSG has the following composition by mass: 35.51 percent \(\mathrm{C}, 4.77\) percent \(\mathrm{H}\), 37.85 percent \(\mathrm{O}, 8.29\) percent \(\mathrm{N},\) and 13.60 percent Na. What is its molecular formula if its molar mass is about \(169 \mathrm{~g}\) ?

Titanium(IV) oxide \(\left(\mathrm{TiO}_{2}\right)\) is a white substance produced by the action of sulfuric acid on the mineral ilmenite \(\left(\mathrm{FeTiO}_{3}\right)\) $$\mathrm{FeTiO}_{3}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4} \longrightarrow\mathrm{TiO}_{2}+\mathrm{FeSO}_{4}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$$Its opaque and nontoxic properties make it suitable as a pigment in plastics and paints. In one process, \(8.00 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~kg}\) of \(\mathrm{FeTiO}_{3}\) yielded \(3.67 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~kg}\) of \(\mathrm{TiO}_{2} .\) What is the percent yield of the reaction?

Without doing any detailed calculations, estimate which element has the highest percent composition by mass in each of the following compounds: (a) \(\mathrm{Hg}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{NF}_{3}\) (c) \(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{Cr}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{7}\) (d) \(\mathrm{C}_{2952} \mathrm{H}_{4664} \mathrm{~N}_{812} \mathrm{O}_{832} \mathrm{~S}_{8} \mathrm{Fe}_{4}\)

Allicin is the compound responsible for the characteristic smell of garlic. An analysis of the compound gives the following percent composition by mass: C: 44.4 percent, \(\mathrm{H}: 6.21\) percent, \(\mathrm{S}: 39.5\) percent, \(\mathrm{O}:\) 9.86 percent. Calculate its empirical formula. What is its molecular formula given that its molar mass is about \(162 \mathrm{~g}\) ?

The natural abundances of the two stable isotopes of hydrogen (hydrogen and deuterium) are \({ }_{1}^{1} \mathrm{H}\) : 99.985 percent and \({ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}: 0.015\) percent. Assume that water exists as either \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) or \(\mathrm{D}_{2} \mathrm{O} .\) Calculate the number of \(\mathrm{D}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) molecules in exactly \(400 \mathrm{~mL}\) of water. (Density \(=1.00 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{mL} .)\)
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