Answer :
To find the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex] (sulfuric acid), here’s how you can calculate it:
1. Determine the atomic masses:
- Hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of approximately 1.008 amu.
- Sulfur (S) has an atomic mass of approximately 32.065 amu.
- Oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16.00 amu.
2. Identify the number of each atom in the compound:
- The chemical formula [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex] includes 2 hydrogen atoms, 1 sulfur atom, and 4 oxygen atoms.
3. Calculate the molar mass of [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex]:
- Multiply the atomic masses by their respective number of atoms and add them up:
[tex]\[
\text{Molar mass of } \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 = (2 \times 1.008) + (1 \times 32.065) + (4 \times 16.00)
\][/tex]
- Doing the math:
[tex]\[
= 2.016 + 32.065 + 64.00 = 98.081 \text{ amu}
\][/tex]
4. Calculate the percent composition of sulfur:
- Divide the atomic mass of sulfur by the molar mass of [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex] and multiply by 100 to convert it to a percentage:
[tex]\[
\text{Percent composition of sulfur} = \left(\frac{32.065}{98.081}\right) \times 100
\][/tex]
- The result is approximately [tex]\(32.7\%\)[/tex].
Therefore, the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex] is approximately [tex]\(32.7\%\)[/tex]. Thus, the correct answer is C. 32.7\%.
1. Determine the atomic masses:
- Hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of approximately 1.008 amu.
- Sulfur (S) has an atomic mass of approximately 32.065 amu.
- Oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16.00 amu.
2. Identify the number of each atom in the compound:
- The chemical formula [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex] includes 2 hydrogen atoms, 1 sulfur atom, and 4 oxygen atoms.
3. Calculate the molar mass of [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex]:
- Multiply the atomic masses by their respective number of atoms and add them up:
[tex]\[
\text{Molar mass of } \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 = (2 \times 1.008) + (1 \times 32.065) + (4 \times 16.00)
\][/tex]
- Doing the math:
[tex]\[
= 2.016 + 32.065 + 64.00 = 98.081 \text{ amu}
\][/tex]
4. Calculate the percent composition of sulfur:
- Divide the atomic mass of sulfur by the molar mass of [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex] and multiply by 100 to convert it to a percentage:
[tex]\[
\text{Percent composition of sulfur} = \left(\frac{32.065}{98.081}\right) \times 100
\][/tex]
- The result is approximately [tex]\(32.7\%\)[/tex].
Therefore, the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\)[/tex] is approximately [tex]\(32.7\%\)[/tex]. Thus, the correct answer is C. 32.7\%.
