Question

Calculate the percentage composition of Carbon and Oxygen in CO₂, (given atomic masses : Carbon = 12 and Oxygen = 16).

Answer 1

Mass of carbon dioxide [CO₂] 

= 1 (C) + 2(O) 

= 1(12) + 2(16) 

= 12 + 32 = 44

% mass of carbon = \(\frac{12}{44}\)× 100 

= 27.27%

% mass of oxygen = \(\frac{32}{44}\)× 100 

= 72.7%