Answer:
43.23%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mass percent of oxygen in propionic acid (C3H6O2) can be calculated by dividing the mass of oxygen in the molecule by the total mass of the molecule and multiplying by 100.
First, find the molar mass of propionic acid:
C3H6O2 = 3 x 12.01 + 6 x 1.01 + 2 x 16.00 = 74.08 g/mol
Next, find the mass of oxygen in one mole of propionic acid:
2 x 16.00 g = 32.00 g
Finally, divide the mass of oxygen by the total mass and multiply by 100:
(32.00 g / 74.08 g) x 100% = 43.23%
So, the mass percent of oxygen in propionic acid is 43.23%.