Final answer:
The mass percentage of carbon in saccharin (C7H5NO3S) is 45.89%, calculated by dividing the total mass of carbon by the molar mass of saccharin and multiplying by 100.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the mass percentage of carbon (C) in saccharin (C₇H₅NO₃S), first, we need to compute the molar mass of saccharin and then determine the mass contributed by the carbon atoms. The molar mass of saccharin is 183.18 g/mol as given in the information. Saccharin has seven carbon atoms, and since each carbon atom has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 g/mol, the total mass of carbon in one mole of saccharin is 7 × 12.01 g/mol = 84.07 g/mol.
To find the mass percent of carbon in saccharin, we use the formula:
Mass percent of C = (Total mass of carbon / Molar mass of saccharin) × 100
Mass percent of C = (84.07 g/mol / 183.18 g/mol) × 100
Mass percent of C = 45.89%
Therefore, the mass percentage of carbon in saccharin is 45.89%.