Question

this is the chemical formula for diethyl ether:
(ch₃ch₂)₂o.
calculate the mass percent of carbon in diethyl ether. round your answer to the nearest percentage.
%

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the molar mass of carbon in diethyl ether

The formula \((CH_3CH_2)_2O\) can be rewritten as \(C_4H_{10}O\).
There are \(4\) carbon atoms. The molar mass of carbon (\(C\)) is \(12.01\space g/mol\).
So the total mass of carbon is \(4\times12.01 = 48.04\space g/mol\).

Step2: Calculate the molar mass of diethyl ether

The molar mass of hydrogen (\(H\)) is \(1.008\space g/mol\), and there are \(10\) hydrogen atoms (\(10\times1.008=10.08\space g/mol\)).
The molar mass of oxygen (\(O\)) is \(16.00\space g/mol\).
The molar mass of \(C_4H_{10}O\) is \(48.04 + 10.08+16.00=74.12\space g/mol\).

Step3: Calculate the mass percent of carbon

The mass percent formula is \(\text{Mass}\%=\frac{\text{Mass of component}}{\text{Mass of compound}}\times100\%\).
Substitute the values: \(\text{Mass}\%=\frac{48.04}{74.12}\times 100\%\)
\(\frac{48.04}{74.12}\times100\% \approx 64.8\%\)

Answer:

\(65\%\)