Let's solve the problem step-by-step to find the percent composition of oxygen (O) in a sample of [tex]\( \text{HNO}_3 \)[/tex] (Nitric Acid).
1. Identify the Masses of Each Element:
- The given mass of Hydrogen (H) is 1.01 g.
- The given mass of Nitrogen (N) is 14.01 g.
- The given mass of Oxygen (O) is 48.00 g.
2. Calculate the Total Mass of the Sample:
- Total mass = mass of Hydrogen + mass of Nitrogen + mass of Oxygen
- Total mass = 1.01 g + 14.01 g + 48.00 g
- Total mass = 63.02 g
3. Calculate the Percent Composition of Oxygen:
- Percent composition is calculated by dividing the mass of the element by the total mass of the sample, then multiplying by 100 to convert it to a percentage.
- Percent composition of Oxygen [tex]\(= \left( \frac{\text{mass of Oxygen}}{\text{total mass}} \right) \times 100\)[/tex]
- Percent composition of Oxygen [tex]\(= \left( \frac{48.00 \text{ g}}{63.02 \text{ g}} \right) \times 100\)[/tex]
- Percent composition of Oxygen [tex]\( \approx 76.17\%\)[/tex]
Therefore, the percent composition of oxygen (O) in the sample is approximately [tex]\( 76.17\% \)[/tex].
