Question

What is the Elemental Percent Composition by Mass of

Potassium in Potassium Carbonate?
Potassium carbonate is K₂CO3.
Atomic Masses: K= 39.10 g/mol; C = 12.01 g/mol; O=
16.00 g/mol

Answer 1

The elemental percent composition by mass of potassium in potassium carbonate (K₂CO3) is 73.61%.

Step-by-step explanation:

The elemental percent composition by mass of potassium in potassium carbonate (K₂CO3) can be determined by dividing the mass of potassium in the compound by the molar mass of potassium carbonate and multiplying by 100.

First, we need to calculate the molar mass of potassium carbonate:

1. The molar mass of K is 39.10 g/mol (according to the information given).
2. The molar mass of C is 12.01 g/mol (according to the information given).
3. The molar mass of O is 16.00 g/mol (according to the information given).
4. Multiplying the molar mass of K by 2 (since there are two potassium atoms in the compound), we get 78.20 g/mol.
5. Adding the molar masses of C and O, we get 28.01 g/mol.
6. The molar mass of potassium carbonate (K₂CO3) is 78.20 g/mol + 28.01 g/mol = 106.21 g/mol.

To calculate the elemental percent composition by mass of potassium, we need to divide the mass of potassium (78.20 g/mol) by the molar mass of potassium carbonate (106.21 g/mol) and multiply by 100:

Percent composition by mass of potassium = (78.20 g/mol / 106.21 g/mol) × 100 = 73.61%.

Therefore, the elemental percent composition by mass of potassium in potassium carbonate is 73.61%.

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