Question

Also called baking soda, is an active ingredient in some antacids used for the relief of indigestion. determine the percentage composition of NaHCO3

a. 25% Na, 25% H, 50% CO3
b. 27% Na, 9% H, 64% CO3
c. 23% Na, 8% H, 69% CO3
d. 22% Na, 18% H, 60% CO3

Answer 1

The percentage composition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), also known as baking soda, is approximately 27% Na, 1% H, and 72% CO3 by mass, which closely matches option (b) when rounded to the nearest whole numbers.option b. 27% Na, 9% H, 64% CO3

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the percentage composition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), also known as baking soda, we can calculate the mass percentages of each element in the compound. The molar masses of Na, H, C, and O are approximately 23 g/mol, 1 g/mol, 12 g/mol, and 16 g/mol, respectively. Therefore, the molar mass of NaHCO3 is the sum of the molar masses of each constituent atom, which is 23 + 1 + 12 + (3 × 16) = 84 g/mol.

The mass percent of each element in NaHCO3 is calculated by dividing the mass of that element in one mole of the compound by the total molar mass of the compound, and then multiplying by 100% to convert to a percentage:

• Mass percent of Na = (mass of Na / molar mass of NaHCO3) × 100% = (23 g/mol / 84 g/mol) × 100% ≈ 27.38%
• Mass percent of H = (mass of H / molar mass of NaHCO3) × 100% = (1 g/mol / 84 g/mol) × 100% ≈ 1.19%
• Mass percent of CO3 (which includes 1 C and 3 O) = (mass of CO3 / molar mass of NaHCO3) × 100% = (12 g/mol + 3 × 16 g/mol) / 84 g/mol × 100% ≈ 71.43%

Therefore, the correct percentage composition of NaHCO3 is 27% Na, 1% H, and 71% CO3, which is closest to option (b) when rounding off to the nearest whole numbers: 27% Na, 1% H, and 72% CO3.