The molar mass of butyric acid (C4H8O2) can be calculated by summing the atomic masses of the constituent elements:
(4 * 12.01 g/mol) + (8 * 1.01 g/mol) + (2 * 16.00 g/mol) = 88.11 g/mol
To find the number of moles of butyric acid in 5.28 g, we divide the mass by the molar mass:
5.28 g / 88.11 g/mol = 0.0599 mol
Since there is one carbon atom in each molecule of butyric acid, the number of grams of carbon is equal to the molar mass of carbon:
1 * 12.01 g/mol = 12.01 g
To find the mass of carbon in 0.0599 mol of butyric acid, we multiply the number of moles by the molar mass of carbon:
0.0599 mol * 12.01 g/mol = 0.719 g
Therefore, there are 0.719 grams of carbon in 5.28 g of butyric acid.
How many grams of carbon are in 5.28 g of butyric acid?
Express your answer to three significant figures and include the appropriate units.
1 answer