Calculate the mass fraction (in%) of the chemical element oxygen in the epsom salt MgSO4 ⋅ 7H2O

The mass fraction of a chemical element is calculated as the ratio of the atomic mass of all atoms of a given chemical element to the molecular mass of the entire compound.

Let’s find the molecular weight of this compound: Mr (MgSO4 * 7H2O) = Ar (Mg) + Ar (S) + 11 * Ar (O) + 14 * Ar (H).

Mr (MgSO4 * 7H2O) = 24 + 32 + 11 * 16 + 14 * 1 = 246.

w (O) = (11 * Ar (O) * 100%) / Mr (MgSO4 * 7H2O).

w (O) = (176 * 100%) / 246 = 71.5%.

Answer: w (O) = 71.5%.



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