S AINT MICHAE’S COLLEGE OF LAGUNA

OLD NATIONAL ROAD, PLATERO, CITY OF BINAN, LAGUNA

Luisa L. Limaco Senior High School

PERCENT COMPOSITION FROM

CHEMICAL FORMULA
The mass of each element in a chemical
formula as well as its percent composition in the
compounds may be obtained. The general formula for
calculating the percent composition of an element in a
compound is given by

(atomic mass of A) x (number of atoms of A in a compound)

%A = x 100
( formula or molecular mass of a compound)

Sample Problem:
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is commonly used as an additive in the
manufacture of glass, or as water softener and neutralizer for chlorine in
pools. It is commonly known as soda ash or washing soda. What is the
Percentages of each element in the compound? (atomic masses:
Na=22.99 amu, C=12.01amu, O=16.00 amu)

Solution:
Formula mass of Na2CO3 = (atomic mass of Na x 2) + (atomic mass of C x 1)
+ (atomic mass of O x 3)

= (22.99 amu x 2) + (12.01 amu x 1) + (16.00 x 3)

= 45.98 amu + 12.01 amu + 48.00 amu
= 105.99 amu
 Applying the general formula for percent composition for each constituent
element,

45.98 amu
% Na= x 100
105.99 amu

= 43.38%

12.01 amu
%C = x 100
105.99 amu

= 11.33%

%O = 48.00 amu
X 100
105.99 amu

= 45.29 %

Exercises: What are the percentages of each element in the compound?

a. KOH ----
b. H2SO4 ----
c. NaOH ----