Final answer:
The mass percent of oxygen in magnesium phosphate (Mg3(PO4)2) is calculated by dividing the combined mass of the oxygen atoms by the molar mass of the entire compound and then multiplying by 100. The mass percent of oxygen in magnesium phosphate is 48.71%.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the mass percent of oxygen in magnesium phosphate, first, we need to understand the formula of magnesium phosphate, which is Mg3(PO4)2. This formula indicates that the compound consists of 3 magnesium atoms (Mg), 2 phosphorus atoms (P), and 8 oxygen atoms (O).
We must find out the molar mass of magnesium phosphate by adding the molar masses of all the atoms in one formula unit:
- 3 x Mg = 3 x 24.305 g/mol = 72.915 g/mol
- 2 x P = 2 x 30.974 g/mol = 61.948 g/mol
- 8 x O = 8 x 15.999 g/mol = 127.992 g/mol
Adding these together gives us the molar mass of magnesium phosphate: 72.915 + 61.948 + 127.992 = 262.855 g/mol.
Next, we will calculate the mass percent of oxygen by dividing the total mass of oxygen by the molar mass of magnesium phosphate and then multiplying by 100 to get the percentage:
(127.992 g/mol / 262.855 g/mol) x 100 = 48.71%.
Therefore, the mass percent of oxygen in magnesium phosphate is 48.71%.