Question

A 17.0 g sample of ammonia, NH₃, contains 3.0 g of hydrogen. What is the mass percentage of each element in ammonia?

a) Hydrogen: 17.6%, Nitrogen: 82.4%
b) Hydrogen: 15.0%, Nitrogen: 85.0%
c) Hydrogen: 20.0%, Nitrogen: 80.0%
d) Hydrogen: 22.0%, Nitrogen: 78.0%

Answer 1

The mass percentages of hydrogen and nitrogen in ammonia (NH₃) are 17.6% for hydrogen and 82.4% for nitrogen, making option a) the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question involves calculating the mass percentage of each element in ammonia, NH₃. To determine the mass percentage of hydrogen and nitrogen in ammonia, we need to divide the mass of each element by the total mass and then multiply by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

Given that the sample contains 3.0 g of hydrogen:

• Hydrogen percentage = (3.0 g H / 17.0 g NH₃) × 100 = 17.65%
• The remainder of the mass is nitrogen, so Nitrogen percentage = 100% - Hydrogen percentage = 100% - 17.65% = 82.35%

Therefore, the correct answer is option a) Hydrogen: 17.6%, Nitrogen: 82.4%.