Final answer:
The percent by mass of C₆H₈O₆ in the solution is 11.56%, calculated by dividing the mass of the solute by the total mass of the solution and then multiplying by 100.
Step-by-step explanation:
The percent by mass of C₆H₈O₆ in a solution prepared by dissolving 8.5 g of C₆H₈O₆ in 65.0 g of water is calculated using the formula: Percent by mass = (mass of solute / (mass of solute + mass of solvent)) × 100%.
In this case, the mass of the solute (C₆H₈O₆) is 8.5 g and the mass of the solvent (water) is 65.0 g. Plugging the values into the formula, we get:
Percent by mass = (8.5 g / (8.5 g + 65.0 g)) × 100%
Percent by mass = (8.5 g / 73.5 g) × 100%
Percent by mass = 0.1156 × 100%
Percent by mass = 11.56%