Science- Grade 9

Quarter 2 Week 8
Percentage Composition of Compounds

I.
Introductory Concept

Are you interested to know how much of an element is present in a compound? You
can answer this question by determining percentage composition. The mass of each element
in a compound compared to the entire mass of a compound multiplied by 100% is called
percentage composition of the compound. This tells you the percentage of the mass made up
by each element in a compound. Percent composition by mass is an important concept in
chemistry because it helps us to understand and visualize the mass of atoms of elements in
nature. Percent composition by mass is used in many applications relating to industry,
pharmacy, and construction. How do we compute the percentage composition of a
compound? One must know the molar mass of the elements and the compound in order to get
percent composition. For a brief recall, molar mass is defined as the mass of one mole of a
substance expressed in grams. The percentage of each element in a compound may be
expressed as follows:
no . of atoms of elements X molar∨atomic mass
Percentage composition = x 100%
total molar mass of the compound

II. Learning Competency

Determine the percentage composition of a compound given its chemical formula and
vice-versa (S9MT-IIj-20).
At the end of this learning packet, you should be able to:
1. calculate the percentage composition of element in a compound;
2. determine the empirical and molecular formula of a compound based on the percentage
composition and;
3. apply concept of percentage composition of element in choosing various products in the
market.
III. Activities
Study the sample problems below on how to determine the percentage composition of
compounds.
Example 1. What is the percentage composition of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)?
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Step 1
Find the molar mass of Na2CO3
Na=2 ×14 g=28 g C=1 ×12 g=12 g O=3 × 16 g=48 g

Step 2
Find the molecular mass of the entire compound.
Na 2 CO 3=28 g/mol+ 12 g/mol +48 g/mol=88 g/mol

Step 3
Find the percent composition of each element
28 12
%Na= ×100=31.82% %C = ×100=13.64 %
88 88
48
%O= ×100=54.54 %
88

Answer:
Sodium carbonate ( Na2 C O3 ) is composed of 31.82% Na, 13.64% C, and 54.54% O.

Example 2. Find the percent composition of calcium nitrate Ca ( N O 3 )2

Step 1
Find the molar mass of Ca ( N O3 )2
Ca=1 × 40 g=40 g N=2×14 g=28 g O=6 ×16 g=96 g

Step 2
Find the molecular mass of the entire compound.
g g g
Ca ( N O 3 )2 =40 + 28 + 96 =164 g/mol
mol mol mol

Step 3
Find the percent composition of each element
40
%Ca= ×100=24.39 %
164
96
%O= ×100=58.54 %
164
28
%N= × 100=17.07 %
164
Answer:
Ca ( N O3 )2 is composed of 24.39% Ca 58.54% O and 17.07% N

Note: Consult the periodic table of the elements to look for the atomic mass of the element.
To check if your answer is correct, make sure it should add up to 100%
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 Source: https://www.wuwm.com/podcast/lake-effect-segments/2019-12-
10/periodic-table-of-the-elements-turns-150

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A. Activity

DO THESE
Task 1
Calculate the percent composition of each element for the following compounds. Express
your answer in two decimal places. Write your answers and complete solution in your answer
sheet.
a. Mg(NO3)2 (Magnesium nitrate)
b. (NH4)3PO4 (Ammonium phosphate)
c. MgCl2 (Magnesium chloride)
d. NaOH (Sodium hydroxide)
e. Na2SO4 (Sodium Sulfate)

Task 2
Answer the following problems.

a.) Penicillin was the first antibiotics discovered accidentally by the Scottish bacteriologist
Alexander Fleming in 1928, but the mass never able to isolate it as a pure compound. This
and similar antibiotics have saved millions of lives that might have been lead to infections.
Penicillin has the formulaC 16 H 18 N 2 O 4 S . Determine the percentage composition of each
element in the compound.
b.) Ammonium nitrate ( N H 4 N O3 ) is a substance use to produce dinitrogen monoxide ( N 2 O
), a dental anesthetic. Determine the mass percent of H in ammonium nitrate.
c.) In cold areas, many fish and insects, including the common housefly produce large
amount of glycerol (C 3 H 8 O3) to lower the freezing point of their blood. How many percent
of oxygen is present in glycerol?

From the percent composition data, we can calculate the empirical formula of the
compound and the molecular formula as well. Here, we reverse the process we learned
earlier in percentage composition. Now, read and study the sample problem below.
Sample Problem
An insect repellent (dibutyl succinate) is found to contain 63.16% C, 8.77% H, and
28.07% O. Its molecular mass is experimentally found to be 228 grams. What is the
empirical formula and molecular formula?
Solution:
Step 1. Change % to mass in g of each element in a 100.0 g sample.
C – 63.16% 63.16 g
H – 8.77% 8.77 g
O – 28.07% 28.07 g
100.00 g
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 Step 2. Convert the mass in g of each element into number of moles by dividing it by its
atomic mass. With the results, the mole ratio of all the elements in the compound is taken.
1mole C
? mole of C = 63.16 g C X = 5.26 moles
12 g C
1mole H
? mole of H = 8.77 g H X = 8.77 moles
1g H
1mole O
? mole of O = 28.07 g O X = 1.75 moles
16 g O
C : H : O (mole ratio) = 5.26 : 8.77 : 1.75
Step 3. Reduce the mole ratio to simple whole numbers by dividing each by the smallest
value.
5.26 mol C 8.77 mol H 1.75 mol 0
=3 =5 =1
1.75 1.75 1.75
The simplest mole ratio or empirical formula is C3H5O.
Step 4. Find the empirical mass.
C3H5O = 3 x 12 g + 5 x 1 g + 1 x 16 g = 57 g
Step 5. Divide the molecular mass by the empirical mass to get a number which is
molecular mass 228 g
= =4
empirical mass 57 g
Step 6. Multiply the subscripts of the empirical formula by the number found in STEP 5 to
get the molecular formula.

Task 3
Answer the following problems.
1. Limestone is found to contain 40% Ca, 12% C, and 48% O. Its molecular mass is
experimentally found to be 100 g. What is its empirical formula? molecular formula?
2. Sulfuric acid is a compound that contains 2.04% H, 32.65% S, and 65.31% O.
What is the molecular formula if it has a molecular mass of 98 g?

B. Analysis
On your last chemistry exam you answered 54 of 60 questions correctly. You
achieved a grade of 90%. The percent grade on your exam indicates the part of the exam you
answered correctly. The part of the exam you answered incorrectly is only 10%, or 6
questions.

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Analyze the given data below.
Mass of
Mass of Percent Percent
Compound Total Mass Hydrogen
Carbon (g) Carbon Hydrogen
(g)
Butane C 4 H 10 58.00 g 48 10 82.76% 17.24%
Ethane
C2 H6 30.00 g 24 6 80.00% 20.00%

1. According to the table above, what mass of carbon is present in 30.00 g of ethane
and 58 g of butane?
2. Show the set-up that would be used to determine the percent by mass of carbon in
ethane and butane to arrive at the answer shown in the table above.
3. What information do you need to determine the percent composition by mass of
sodium in sodium chloride?

C. Application
Mrs. Plantita has plenty of plants. One day, she found out that some of her plants
grew unhealthy. The soil that her plants were planted on is already depleted with nutrients.
She decided that she needs to use fertilizer. However, she lacks knowledge about percentage
composition which is useful in choosing the best fertilizer that gives higher amount of
nitrogen in the soil. How can you help Mrs. Plantita? Which among these fertilizers is she
going to use? Show your computations to convince her of your choice.
A. ammonia (NH3)
B. ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4
C. ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3)

D. Abstraction
1. Why do we need to determine the percentage composition?
2. In what other ways can you make use of the concept of percentage composition in our
daily lives?

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 ASSESS YOUR LEARNING
A. Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. Glucose (C6H12O6) is a six-carbon sugar (hexose) which is also known as the blood
sugar. It is an energy source that fuels our body. How many percent of carbon is present in
glucose?
A. 4% B. 6.67% C. 40% D. 53.33%
2. The “fuel-value” of the hydrogen-containing fuels depends on the mass percentage of
hydrogen. Rank the following compounds in terms of increasing “fuel-value.”
I. Ethane (C2 H6)
II. Ethanol (C2H5O6)
III. Propane (C3H8)
A. II, III, I B. I, III, II C. III, II, I D. II, I, III
3. Ethyl butanoate (C3H7COOC2H5) is the substance responsible for the aroma of
pineapple. What is the percent composition of carbon in the compound?
A. 6.21% B. 10.34% C. 27.59% D. 62.07%
4. The presence of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere causes acid rain. What
percentage of sulfur is present in SO2?
A. 40% B. 50% C. 60% D. 70%
5. A compound with the following compositions have a molar mass of 60.10 g/mol:
39.97% C, 13.31% H, and 46.62% N. Which of the following is the molecular formula of
the compound?
A. CH4N B. C2H8N2 C. C2H4N D. C4H16N4

IV. Rubrics

Congratulations! You are done with

the whole journey in this learner’s packet.
Your responses will be assessed
using the rubric on the next page.
.

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 Criteria 5 3 2
Understanding of The learner shows The learner shows The learner
the subject matter mastery and understanding of the was able to
understanding of the topic. He/ she was answer a few
subject matter. He/ she able to answer most items and
correctly answered the of the items with little needs further
items with no errors. or minimal errors intervention.
Quality of responses Responses are extensive Responses are Responses are
based on the given facts substantial Partial.
and possible additional
references used.
Expression of ideas Ideas are clearly stated Ideas are somewhat Ideas are
regardless of the clear regardless of the unclear
language used and language used and
reflects learners true reflects learners true
understanding. understanding
Completeness of All the questioned were Majority of the Only some
answer answered questions were questions were
answered. answered.

Congratulations! You have

finished this learner’s packet.
You may check your answers on
the answer key below.

V. ANSWER KEY
A. Activity
Task 1
1. Mg= 16.22%, N= 18.92%, O= 64.86%
2. N= 28.19%, H= 8.05%, P= 20.81%, O= 42.95%
3. Mg= 25.53%, Cl= 74.47%
4. Na= 57.5%, O= 40%, H= 2.5%
5. Na= 32.39%, S= 22.53%, O= 45.07%
Task 2
a. C= 57.49%
H= 5.39%
N= 8.38%
O= 19.16%
S= 9.58%
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b. H = 5%
c. O = 52.17%
Task 3
1. Empirical formula – CaCO3
Molecular formula – CaCO3
2. Empirical formula – H2SO4
Molecular formula – H2SO4

B. Analysis
1. 24 g of Carbon is present in ethane, 48 g of Carbon is present in butane
24 g 48 g
2. C= x 100 %=80 % (ethane) ; C = x 100 %=82.76 % (butane)
30 g 58 g
3. molar mass of Na and molecular mass of NaCl

C. Application
A. N = 82.35% B. N = 21.21% C. N = 35%
Ammonia (NH3) is the fertilizer needed to replenish the soil nutrients.

D. Abstraction
1. Answer may vary. It allows us to determine the percentage of each element that makes up
a specific compound.
2. Answer may vary. Percent composition plays an important role in everyday life. It can be
used in disinfecting water in your swimming pool with the right amount of chlorine, making
money coins and etc.

Asses your learning

1. C 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. B

VI. Reflection

Questions for Reflection Answers / Reflections

How do you feel about this topic / lesson?

What part of the lesson would you like to

learn more about?

What can you do to improve your

understanding?

How does this lesson help you in your day

to day living?

What did you learn about yourself as you

worked on this lesson / activity?

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VII. REFERENCES
A. Book
1. Mapa, A., Fidelino, T., & Rabago, L. (2001). Chemistry Textbook Science and
Technology (pp. 151-153). Quezon City: SD Publications, Inc.
2. Alvarez, L., Angeles, D., Apurada, H., Lahorra, O., Marcaida, J., Osorio, R.,
Paningbatan, D., … Delos Santos, M.T., (2014). Science Learner’s
Module (pp. 156-158). Pasig City: Department of Education.
3. Mendoza, E. (2003). Phoenix Science Series Chemistry (pp. 184-191). Quezon
City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.

B. Website
1. https://www.toppr.com/guides/chemistry/some-basic-concepts-of-
chemistry/percentage-composition/
2. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-chemistry/chapter/compound-
composition/

SMILE Learner’s Packet Development Team

Writer : Gilene B. Belen (Tabaco NHS)

Editors/Reviewers : Lourdes P. Castroverde

Judy S. Salcedo
Helen Z. Cornelio (EPS, Iriga City)
Ronaldo C. Reyes (EPS, Tabaco City)

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