0.5866 g of nicotine consists of 0.4343 g C, 0.0513 g H and 0.1013 g N. What is the % composition of nicotine?

Question

0.5866 g of nicotine consists of 0.4343 g C, 0.0513 g H and 0.1013 g N. What is the % composition of nicotine?

Answer 1

Ok, so in the question you are given 0.5866g of nicotine and you are also given the following:

0.4343gC

0.0513gH

0.1013gN

Now, the only thing you need to do is divide the grams of each element (C,H & N) by the mass given, which is 0.5866g. When you divide them, you will get a decimal, so you have to multiply the answer times 100 and that is how you get the percent composition of Nicotine.

0.4343gC / 0.5866g=.74*100=74% C

0.0513gH / 0.5866g=.087*100=8.7% H

0.1013gN / 0.5866g=.172*100=17.2%N

Check:

74%C + 8.7%H + 17.2%N =99.9%Nicotine

Answer 2

This is very easy.  To find percent composition, divide the amount of each element by the total mass, and multiply by 100.  i.e.,  

C= .4343/.5866 x 100= 74.04%

H= .0513/.5866 x 100= 8.745%

0= .1013/.5866 x 100= 17.27%