Answer :
To determine the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex] (sulfuric acid), we need to follow these steps:
1. Determine the Molar Mass of [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex]:
- Hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of approximately 1 u (unified atomic mass unit).
- Sulfur (S) has an atomic mass of approximately 32 u.
- Oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16 u.
The molecular formula for sulfuric acid is [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex], which consists of:
- 2 hydrogen atoms,
- 1 sulfur atom,
- 4 oxygen atoms.
Therefore, the molar mass of [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex] is calculated as follows:
[tex]\[
\text{Molar mass of } H_2SO_4 = (2 \times 1) + (32) + (4 \times 16)
\][/tex]
This gives us a total molar mass of 98 u.
2. Find the Mass of Sulfur in [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex]:
- Since there is 1 sulfur atom in [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex], the mass of sulfur is 32 u.
3. Calculate the Percent Composition of Sulfur:
- The percent composition is found by dividing the mass of sulfur by the total molar mass of the compound and then multiplying by 100 to convert it to a percentage.
[tex]\[
\text{Percent composition of sulfur} = \left( \frac{32}{98} \right) \times 100
\][/tex]
Performing this calculation gives us approximately 32.7%.
Therefore, the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex] is 32.7%.
The correct answer is: B. 32.7%.
1. Determine the Molar Mass of [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex]:
- Hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of approximately 1 u (unified atomic mass unit).
- Sulfur (S) has an atomic mass of approximately 32 u.
- Oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16 u.
The molecular formula for sulfuric acid is [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex], which consists of:
- 2 hydrogen atoms,
- 1 sulfur atom,
- 4 oxygen atoms.
Therefore, the molar mass of [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex] is calculated as follows:
[tex]\[
\text{Molar mass of } H_2SO_4 = (2 \times 1) + (32) + (4 \times 16)
\][/tex]
This gives us a total molar mass of 98 u.
2. Find the Mass of Sulfur in [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex]:
- Since there is 1 sulfur atom in [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex], the mass of sulfur is 32 u.
3. Calculate the Percent Composition of Sulfur:
- The percent composition is found by dividing the mass of sulfur by the total molar mass of the compound and then multiplying by 100 to convert it to a percentage.
[tex]\[
\text{Percent composition of sulfur} = \left( \frac{32}{98} \right) \times 100
\][/tex]
Performing this calculation gives us approximately 32.7%.
Therefore, the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]\( H_2SO_4 \)[/tex] is 32.7%.
The correct answer is: B. 32.7%.
