Question

Calculate the percent by mass of the element listed first in the formulas for each of the following compounds. adipic acid, C₆H₁₀O₄

Answer 1

Answer: C- 49.31%, H- 6.91%, O- 43.77%

Explanation: Find the total mass of the compound by adding up the molar masses of each element in the compound (make sure to multiply by each subscript). The molar mass of the compound is found to be 146.14 g/mol. Then take the molar mass of each individual element (multiplying by it's subscript) and divide that by the molar mass of the compound. Then multiply by 100 to get the percent of each. Your answer should roughly add up to 100 if you add up the percent of each.