What is the mass percentage of S in H₂SO₄?

CONCEPT:

Mass Percentage

• The mass percentage of an element in a compound is calculated using the formula:

  Mass Percentage = (Mass of the element in 1 mole of the compound / Molar mass of the compound) × 100

• The molar mass of a compound is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms present in the compound.
• Atomic masses can be obtained from the periodic table.

EXPLANATION:

• Step 1: Calculate the molar mass of H₂SO₄.
  • Atomic mass of hydrogen (H) = 1.008 g/mol
  • Atomic mass of sulfur (S) = 32.06 g/mol
  • Atomic mass of oxygen (O) = 16.00 g/mol
  • Molar mass of H₂SO₄ = (2 × 1.008) + (1 × 32.06) + (4 × 16.00)
  • = 2.016 + 32.06 + 64.00
  • = 98.076 g/mol
• Step 2: Calculate the mass percentage of sulfur (S).
  • Mass of sulfur in 1 mole of H₂SO₄ = 32.06 g
  • Mass percentage of S = (32.06 / 98.076) × 100
  • = 0.3265 × 100
  • = 32.65%

Therefore, the mass percentage of sulfur (S) in H₂SO₄ is 32.65%.