Question

A metal, M, forms an oxide having the formula MO2 containing 59.93% metal by mass. Determine the atomic weight in g/mole of the metal (M). Please provide your answer in 2 decimal places.

Answer 1

Answer: The molar mass of metal (M) is 47.86 g/mol

Explanation:

Let the atomic mass of metal (M) be x

Atomic mass of $(MO_2)=(x+32)g/mol$

To calculate the mass of metal, we use the equation:

$\text{Mass percent of metal}=\frac{\text{Mass of metal}}{\text{Mass of metal oxide}}\times 100$

Mass percent of metal = 59.93 %

Mass of metal = x g/mol

Mass of metal oxide = (x + 32) g/mol

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$59.93=\frac{x}{(x+32)}\times 100\\\\59.93(x+32)=100x\\\\x=47.86g/mol$

Hence, the molar mass of metal (M) is 47.86 g/mol