Understanding Percent Composition in Atoms and Molecules | Class 10 Science

Percent Composition - Atoms and Molecules

PERCENT COMPOSITION

So for, we were dealing with the number of entities present in a given substance. But many times, the information regarding the percentage of a particular element present in a compound is required.

The percentage composition of a compound represents the mass of each element present in 100 g of the compound.

Let us understand the percentage composition of oxygen and hydrogen by taking the example of \(H_2O\). It can be calculated using the formula:

Formula for calculating the mass percent of an element.

This percentage composition is useful to determine the empirical formula and molecular formula.

Example 1: Find the mass percentage composition of methane (\(CH_4\)).

Calculation for the percent composition of Methane (\(CH_4\)).