What is the mass percentage of carbon in a CO2 molecule?

First we need to calculate the total mass of a CO2 molecule. This is done by summing up the individual masses of all the atoms. To find these, we look at the periodic table and see that the masses are C: 12 g/mol (amu) O: 16 g/mol (amu)Thus, the total mass of one CO2 molecule is 12+16x2 = 44 g/mol (amu)To find the percentage, we have to divide the mass of carbon (found in the molecule) by the total mass of the molecule, and multiply by 100:%C = 12*100/44 = 27.27%

Answered by Ana D. Chemistry tutor

2684 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is Fractional Distillation and how does it work?


Draw the electronic structure of Sodium Chloride and explain how an ionic bond affects the melting and boiling point.


What is activation energy?


Iron can be extracted from iron ore by reaction with carbon at very high temperature in a blast furnace. In this process Fe2O3 is reduced to Fe. Explain what is meant by the term reduction.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy