📘 Concept & Theory Concept Used ›
The percentage composition by mass (or by weight) of an element in a compound tells us what fraction of the total mass of the compound is contributed by that element.
It is calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{Percentage by mass of an element} = \frac{\text{Mass of the element}}{\text{Total mass of compound}} \times 100 \]Percentage composition is important because it helps chemists determine the composition and formula of compounds and forms the basis of many numerical problems in chemistry.
🗺️ Solution Roadmap Step-by-step Plan ›
Identify the total mass of the compound.
Identify the mass of each constituent element.
Apply the percentage composition formula separately for boron and oxygen.
Calculate the percentages.
Verify that the total percentage equals 100%.
📊 Graph / Figure Graph / Figure ›
✏️ Solution Complete Solution ›
- Given
- Total mass of compound = 0.24 g
- Mass of boron (B) = 0.096 g
- Mass of oxygen (O) = 0.144 g
- Calculate percentage by weight of boron
- \[ \begin{aligned} \text{Percentage of Boron} &= \frac{\text{Mass of Boron}}{\text{Total Mass of Compound}} \times 100 \\ &=\frac{0.096}{0.24} \times 100 \\ &=0.4 \times 100 \end{aligned} \] \[ = 40\% \]
- Therefore, the percentage by weight of boron is: \(40\%\)
- Calculate percentage by weight of oxygen
- \[ \begin{aligned} \text{Percentage of Oxygen} &= \frac{\text{Mass of Oxygen}}{\text{Total Mass of Compound}} \times 100 \\ &= \frac{0.144}{0.24} \times 100 \\ &= 0.6 \times 100 \\ &= 60\% \end{aligned} \]
- Therefore, the percentage by weight of oxygen is: \(60\%\)
- Verification
- \[40\% + 60\% = 100\%\]
- Since the total percentage is 100%, the calculation is correct.
💡 Answer Final Answer ›
- Percentage of Boron = 40%
- Percentage of Oxygen = 60%
🎯 Exam Significance Exam Significance ›
- Tests understanding of percentage composition by mass.
- Frequently asked as a direct numerical problem in school examinations.
- Develops the skill of applying chemical formulas to real data.
- Strengthens concepts related to laws of chemical combination and compound composition.
🔑 Key Takeaways Key Takeaways ›
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Percentage composition gives the mass contribution of each element in a compound.
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The formula used is: \[ \text{Percentage by Mass} = \frac{\text{Mass of Element}}{\text{Total Mass of Compound}} \times 100 \]
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Boron contributes 40% of the total mass of the compound.
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Oxygen contributes 60% of the total mass of the compound.
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The sum of percentage compositions of all elements in a compound is always 100%.