Understanding the Composition of Table Sugar: A Guide to Calculating Element Masses

Introduction: Table sugar, commonly known by its chemical formula C12H22O11, is an essential component in many household and industrial applications. Understanding the composition of table sugar can help in various calculations involving its use. This article delves into the process of calculating the mass of each element present in a given sample of table sugar, using dimensional analysis and percentage composition.

Chemical Composition of Table Sugar

Table sugar, or sucrose, has a molecular formula of C12H22O11. It is known to be composed of 6.4% hydrogen, 42.1% carbon, and 51.5% oxygen by mass. This percentage composition can be used to determine the mass of each element in a given sample of table sugar.

Calculating the Mass of Each Element in 65.8g Sample

Let's take a 65.8g sample of table sugar and calculate the mass of each element (hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen) present in the sample using the given percentages.

To find the mass of carbon in the 65.8g sample, we use the percentage of carbon by mass:

Mass of carbon 42.1% × 65.8g 0.421 × 65.8g 27.7g

Similarly, to find the mass of oxygen, we use the percentage of oxygen by mass:

Mass of oxygen 51.5% × 65.8g 0.515 × 65.8g 33.9g

For hydrogen, the calculation is as follows:

Mass of hydrogen 6.4% × 65.8g 0.064 × 65.8g 4.2g

Detailed Calculation Steps

The process of calculating the mass of each element involves converting the percentage of each element to a decimal and then multiplying it by the total mass of the sample. This method is known as dimensional analysis, a powerful tool in chemistry and other fields involving proportional relationships.

65.8 g total x 0.421 g carbon / g total  27.7 g carbon65.8 g total x 0.515 g oxygen / g total  33.9 g oxygen65.8 g total x 0.064 g hydrogen / g total  4.2 g hydrogen

Using the above method, we have found the masses of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen in the 65.8g sample of table sugar. The breakdown is as follows:

Conclusion

Understanding the composition of table sugar through dimensional analysis is crucial for various applications in chemistry, food science, and related fields. The method of using percentage by mass to calculate the mass of each element in a given sample is both accurate and straightforward. If you encounter any difficulties in the process, revisit the concept of dimensional analysis or seek further resources for additional practice and clarification.

Further Resources

If you find the material challenging, it's always beneficial to explore additional resources. For instance, educational websites, YouTube tutorials, and chemistry textbooks provide detailed explanations and examples to help master the topic. Additionally, seeking help from a teacher or tutor can provide personalized assistance and deepen your understanding.