To calculate percent composition, we divide the experimentally derived mass of each element by the overall mass of the compound, and then convert to a percentage:
%C=
12.04g compound
7.34g C
×100%=61.0%
%H=
12.04g compound
1.85g H
×100%=15.4%
%N=
12.04g compound
2.85g N
×100%=23.7%
The analysis results indicate that the compound is 61.0% C, 15.4% H, and 23.7% N by mass.
