Although coal is a complex mixture of substances, its elemental composition can be approximated by the formula C135H96O9NS. Using this chemical formula, calculate the percentage, by mass, of carbon (C) in coal.

Question

Atkinson

Chemistry

26 August, 17:27

Although coal is a complex mixture of substances, its elemental composition can be approximated by the formula C135H96O9NS. Using this chemical formula, calculate the percentage, by mass, of carbon (C) in coal.

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Chanel Rodgers · Answer 1

85%

Explanation:

Firstly, we will need to calculate the molar mass of the molecule. We simply use the atomic masses of each of the elements. The atomic masses are as follows:

C = 12

H = 1

O = 16

N = 14

S = 1

All units are in a. m. u

The molecular mass is thus:

(135 * 12) + (96 * 1) + (16 * 9) + 14 + 32 = 1906g/mol

The percentage by mass of carbon = (135 * 12) / 1906 * 100% = 85%