Final answer:
The percent of magnesium in magnesium bromide (MgBr2) is approximately 13.28%, calculated using the molar masses of magnesium and magnesium bromide and their proportion in the compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the percent of magnesium in magnesium bromide (MgBr2), we first need the molar masses of magnesium and magnesium bromide. Magnesium has a molar mass of about 24.31 g/mol, and bromine has a molar mass of about 79.904 g/mol. Since there are two bromine atoms in magnesium bromide, the molar mass of MgBr2 is 24.31 g/mol (Mg) + 2 × 79.904 g/mol (Br) = 183.118 g/mol.
To find the percent composition of magnesium in MgBr2, we use the formula:
Percent by mass = (molar mass of Mg / molar mass of MgBr2) × 100%
Plugging the values in, we get:
Percent by mass = (24.31 g/mol / 183.118 g/mol) × 100% ≈ 13.28%
Therefore, magnesium constitutes approximately 13.28% of magnesium bromide by mass.