Math Problem Statement

A 2.77 g sample of a compound containing only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen burns in excess oxygen to produce 4.06 g of CO2 and 1.66 g of H2O What is the mass percent H in the above sample.

Solution

To determine the mass percent of hydrogen (H) in the sample, we need to use the information provided about the combustion products and work through the following steps:

Step 1: Determine the moles of CO2\text{CO}_2 and H2O\text{H}_2\text{O}

  • Molar mass of CO2\text{CO}_2 = 12.01 (C) + 2 × 16.00 (O) = 44.01 g/mol
  • Molar mass of H2O\text{H}_2\text{O} = 2 × 1.008 (H) + 16.00 (O) = 18.016 g/mol

Now calculate the moles of CO2\text{CO}_2 and H2O\text{H}_2\text{O}:

Moles of CO2=4.06g44.01g/mol=0.0923mol\text{Moles of } \text{CO}_2 = \frac{4.06 \, \text{g}}{44.01 \, \text{g/mol}} = 0.0923 \, \text{mol} Moles of H2O=1.66g18.016g/mol=0.0921mol\text{Moles of } \text{H}_2\text{O} = \frac{1.66 \, \text{g}}{18.016 \, \text{g/mol}} = 0.0921 \, \text{mol}

Step 2: Determine the mass of hydrogen

Since each mole of water (H2O\text{H}_2\text{O}) contains 2 moles of hydrogen atoms, we can determine the moles of hydrogen:

Moles of H=2×0.0921mol=0.1842mol\text{Moles of H} = 2 \times 0.0921 \, \text{mol} = 0.1842 \, \text{mol}

Now, using the molar mass of hydrogen (1.008 g/mol), we calculate the mass of hydrogen:

Mass of H=0.1842mol×1.008g/mol=0.1856g\text{Mass of H} = 0.1842 \, \text{mol} \times 1.008 \, \text{g/mol} = 0.1856 \, \text{g}

Step 3: Calculate the mass percent of hydrogen

Finally, to find the mass percent of hydrogen in the compound:

Mass percent of H=(0.1856g2.77g)×100=6.70%\text{Mass percent of H} = \left( \frac{0.1856 \, \text{g}}{2.77 \, \text{g}} \right) \times 100 = 6.70\%

Conclusion:

The mass percent of hydrogen in the sample is 6.70%.

Would you like more details on any part of this solution?

Here are 5 related questions to consider:

  1. How do we calculate the mass percent of carbon in this sample?
  2. What is the empirical formula of this compound based on the given data?
  3. How does the combustion analysis technique work in determining elemental composition?
  4. What is the significance of using "excess oxygen" in combustion reactions?
  5. Can you determine the molecular formula from empirical data?

Tip: Always make sure to carefully balance combustion reactions when working with elemental analyses!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Stoichiometry
Mass Percent Composition
Moles and Molar Mass

Formulas

Moles of CO2 = mass of CO2 / molar mass of CO2
Moles of H2O = mass of H2O / molar mass of H2O
Moles of H = 2 × moles of H2O
Mass percent of H = (mass of H / total mass of compound) × 100

Theorems

Law of Conservation of Mass

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12