Final answer:
The mass percent of bromine in zinc bromate, Zn(BrO₃)₂, is 36.50%. This was determined by calculating the total molar mass of the compound and the mass of bromine within it, and then finding their ratio expressed as a percentage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mass percent of bromine in zinc bromate, Zn(BrO₃)₂, can be calculated by determining the mass of bromine in one mole of the compound and then dividing it by the molar mass of the entire compound. To find the mass percent of bromine, we will use the molar mass of Br, which is approximately 79.904 g/mol.
First, calculate the molar mass of zinc bromate:
1 Zn = 65.38 g/mol
2 Br = 2 × 79.904 g/mol
6 O = 6 × 16.00 g/mol
The total molar mass of Zn(BrO₃)₂ = 65.38 + (2 × 79.904) + (6 × 16.00) = 437.49 g/mol.
To find the mass percent, we use the formula:
(Mass of Br in the compound / Molar mass of the compound) × 100%, which gives us
(2 × 79.904 g/mol / 437.49 g/mol) × 100% = 36.50%
This result aligns with chemical principles, as the two percentages of bromine and the rest of the compound would add up to 100%, and the compound is primarily made up of zinc by mass.