Question

What is the mass percent of carbon in carbon dioxide?

Options

• 0.034%

• 27.27%

• 3.4%

• 28.7%

Answer 1

27.27%

Explanation:

Molecular mass of \[\ce{CO2}\] = 1 × 12 + 2 × 16 = 44 g

1 g molecule of \[\ce{CO2}\] contains 1 g atom of carbon

44 g of \[\ce{CO2}\] contains C = 12 g of carbon

% of C in \[\ce{CO2}\] = `12/44 xx 100` = 27.27%

Hence, the mass per cent of carbon in \[\ce{CO2}\] is 27.27%.