Question

Zircon is a mineral with the empirical formula ZrSiO4. If all the zirconium is 90Zr, all the silicon is 28Si, and all the oxygen is 16O, what mass of oxygen is present in 10. g of zircon?

Answer 1

3.52g

Step-by-step explanation:

Zr = 90 g/mol

Si = 28 g/mol

O = 16 g/mol

ZrSiO4 = 90 + 28 + (16* 4) = 182g/mol

Mass = Numberof moles * Molar mass

Mass = 1mol * 182g/mol = 182g

In one mole of ZrSiO4, there are 4 oxygen atoms, hence the mass is given as;

4 * 16 = 64g

Hence, 64g of oxygen is present in 182g of ZrSiO4.

10g would contain x

64 = 182

x = 10

x = ( 10 * 64 ) / 182

x = 640 / 182 = 3.52g