College

What is the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]$H_2SO_4$[/tex]?

A) [tex]$65.2 \%$[/tex]
B) [tex]$98.1 \%$[/tex]
C) [tex]$32.7 \%$[/tex]
D) [tex]$2.1 \%$[/tex]

Answer :

To find the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex], we need to follow these steps:

1. Determine the atomic masses:
- Hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of approximately 1 u.
- Sulfur (S) has an atomic mass of approximately 32.07 u.
- Oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16 u.

2. Calculate the molar mass of [tex]\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex]:
- The molecule [tex]\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex] contains:
- 2 atoms of Hydrogen: [tex]\( 2 \times 1 = 2 \)[/tex] u
- 1 atom of Sulfur: [tex]\( 1 \times 32.07 = 32.07 \)[/tex] u
- 4 atoms of Oxygen: [tex]\( 4 \times 16 = 64 \)[/tex] u

- Add these together to get the total molar mass of [tex]\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
2 + 32.07 + 64 = 98.07 \text{ u}
\][/tex]

3. Calculate the percent composition of sulfur:
- To find the percent composition of sulfur, divide the atomic mass of sulfur by the total molar mass of [tex]\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex] and then multiply by 100:
[tex]\[
\left(\frac{32.07}{98.07}\right) \times 100 \approx 32.7\%
\][/tex]

Therefore, the percent composition of sulfur in [tex]\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex] is approximately [tex]\( 32.7\% \)[/tex].

The correct answer is C) [tex]\(32.7\%\)[/tex].