Calculate the percentage by mass of carbon ethanedioic crystal C2H2O4.2H2O

1 answer

To calculate the percentage by mass of carbon in ethanedioic acid dihydrate (C₂H₂O₄·2H₂O), we first need to determine the molar mass of the compound.

Step 1: Calculate the Molar Mass of C₂H₂O₄·2H₂O

  1. Calculate the molar mass of C₂H₂O₄:

    • Carbon (C): 12.01 g/mol × 2 = 24.02 g/mol
    • Hydrogen (H): 1.008 g/mol × 2 = 2.016 g/mol
    • Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol × 4 = 64.00 g/mol

    Total for C₂H₂O₄: \[ 24.02 + 2.016 + 64.00 = 90.036 \text{ g/mol} \]

  2. Calculate the molar mass of 2H₂O:

    • Each water molecule (H₂O) has:
      • Hydrogen (H): 1.008 g/mol × 2 = 2.016 g/mol
      • Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol = 16.00 g/mol
    • Total for H₂O = 2.016 + 16.00 = 18.016 g/mol

    For 2H₂O: \[ 18.016 \text{ g/mol} × 2 = 36.032 \text{ g/mol} \]

Step 2: Total Molar Mass of C₂H₂O₄·2H₂O

Adding both parts together: \[ \text{Total Molar Mass} = 90.036 \text{ g/mol (C₂H₂O₄)} + 36.032 \text{ g/mol (2H₂O)} = 126.068 \text{ g/mol} \]

Step 3: Calculate the Mass Percentage of Carbon

  1. Mass of carbon in the formula: From C₂H₂O₄, there are 2 moles of carbon: \[ \text{Mass of Carbon} = 24.02 \text{ g/mol} \]

  2. Calculate the percentage by mass of carbon: \[ \text{Percentage of Carbon} = \left( \frac{\text{Mass of Carbon}}{\text{Molar Mass of C₂H₂O₄·2H₂O}} \right) \times 100 \] \[ \text{Percentage of Carbon} = \left( \frac{24.02}{126.068} \right) \times 100 \approx 19.05% \]

Therefore, the percentage by mass of carbon in ethanedioic acid dihydrate (C₂H₂O₄·2H₂O) is approximately 19.05%.