Final answer:
The percent composition of tungsten in tungsten carbide (WC) is approximately 93.85%, calculated by dividing the atomic mass of tungsten by the molar mass of tungsten carbide and multiplying by 100%. correct answer is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The percent composition of an element in a compound indicates the percentage of the compound's total mass that is made up by that element. For tungsten carbide (WC), we calculate this by first determining the molar mass of the compound and the molar mass of tungsten, using the periodic table for atomic weights.
Tungsten (W) has an atomic mass of approximately 183.84 g/mol, and Carbon (C) has an atomic mass of about 12.01 g/mol. The molar mass of tungsten carbide WC is therefore 183.84 g/mol (W) + 12.01 g/mol (C) = 195.85 g/mol.
To find the percent composition of tungsten in WC, we divide the molar mass of tungsten by the molar mass of tungsten carbide and then multiply by 100%:
Percent Composition of W = (mass of W in WC / molar mass of WC) x 100% = (183.84 / 195.85) x 100% ≈ 93.85%
Therefore, the percent composition of tungsten in tungsten carbide is approximately 93.85%.