Urea, a substance commonly used as a fertilizer, has the for-mula CH4N2O. What is its percent composition by mass?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Calculate the molar mass of each element in urea: C, H, N, and O.
2. Determine the total molar mass of urea by summing the molar masses of all atoms in the formula CH4N2O.
3. Calculate the mass percentage of carbon by dividing the total mass of carbon in one mole of urea by the molar mass of urea, then multiply by 100%.
4. Calculate the mass percentage of hydrogen by dividing the total mass of hydrogen in one mole of urea by the molar mass of urea, then multiply by 100%.
5. Repeat the process for nitrogen and oxygen to find their mass percentages in urea.

Key Concepts

Molar Mass Calculation

To determine the percent composition by mass of a compound, one must first calculate its molar mass. This involves summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecular formula. For urea (CH4N2O), the molar mass is calculated by adding the masses of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen based on their respective quantities in the formula.

Percent Composition Formula

The percent composition by mass of an element in a compound is calculated using the formula: (mass of the element in 1 mole of the compound / molar mass of the compound) x 100%. This formula allows one to express the mass of each element as a percentage of the total mass of the compound, providing insight into its elemental makeup.

Elemental Analysis

Elemental analysis involves identifying the types and amounts of elements present in a compound. In the case of urea, understanding the contributions of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen to its overall mass is essential for calculating percent composition. This analysis is fundamental in chemistry for characterizing substances and understanding their properties.