Question

1. vinegar, a common household item, is used in cleaning, cooking, baking and meat preservation. vinegar contains acetic acid, ch₃cooh, which gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. what is the percent composition of carbon in acetic acid? clear all 40.0% 41.4% 33.3% 20.0%

Explanation:

Step1: <Find molar mass of \(CH_3COOH\)>

Molar mass of \(C = 12\space g/mol\), \(H= 1\space g/mol\), \(O = 16\space g/mol\).
Molar mass of \(CH_3COOH=(2\times12)+(4\times1)+(2\times16)=60\space g/mol\)

Step2: <Calculate mass of carbon>

There are 2 carbon atoms. Mass of carbon \(=2\times12 = 24\space g\)

Step3: <Calculate percent composition of carbon>

Percent composition of carbon \(=\frac{24}{60}\times100\% = 40.0\%\)

Answer:

40.0%