Question

In a chemical compound there are 3 parts zinc for every 16 parts copper by mass. A piece of the compound contains 320 grams of copper write and solve an equation to determine the amount of zinc in the chemical compound

Answer 1

To find the amount of zinc in a compound with a 3:16 zinc to copper mass ratio, given 320 grams of copper, set up the proportion z/320 = 3/16 and solve for z, yielding 60 grams of zinc.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the determination of the mass of zinc in a compound based on its mass ratio to copper. Given the ratio of 3 parts zinc to 16 parts copper, and a sample containing 320 grams of copper, an equation can be set up to find the amount of zinc. The equation is based on the proportional relationship between zinc and copper, which can be represented as:

Zinc / Copper = 3 / 16

Let the mass of zinc be 'z'. The equation we set up using the proportion is:

z / 320 = 3 / 16

Solving this equation:

z = (3 / 16) × 320

z = 60 grams of zinc

This calculation confirms that the percent composition of the compound by mass is predominantly zinc.