Monosodium glutamate (NaC5H8NO4) is used extensively as a flavor enhancer.


What is its percent composition?

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Study

To find the percent composition of monosodium glutamate (NaC5H8NO4), we need to determine the mass of each element present in the compound and then calculate the percentage of each element relative to the total mass of the compound.

Here's a step-by-step process to determine the percent composition:

1. Write down the chemical formula of monosodium glutamate: NaC5H8NO4.

2. Calculate the molar mass of each element in the compound. The molar mass is the mass of one mole of the element. Use the periodic table to find the atomic masses of each element.
The atomic mass of Na (sodium) is 22.99 g/mol.
The atomic mass of C (carbon) is 12.01 g/mol.
The atomic mass of H (hydrogen) is 1.008 g/mol.
The atomic mass of N (nitrogen) is 14.01 g/mol.
The atomic mass of O (oxygen) is 16.00 g/mol.

3. Calculate the molar mass of the whole compound by adding up the molar masses of each element in the formula.

Molar mass of NaC5H8NO4:
= (1 atom of Na * atomic mass of Na) + (5 atoms of C * atomic mass of C)
+ (8 atoms of H * atomic mass of H) + (1 atom of N * atomic mass of N)
+ (4 atoms of O * atomic mass of O)

= (1 * 22.99) + (5 * 12.01) + (8 * 1.008) + (1 * 14.01) + (4 * 16.00)
= 22.99 + 60.05 + 8.064 + 14.01 + 64
= 169.114 g/mol

4. Now, calculate the percent composition of each element in the compound.

Percent composition of Na:
= (Number of atoms of Na * atomic mass of Na) / molar mass of the compound * 100
= (1 * 22.99) / 169.114 * 100

Percent composition of C:
= (Number of atoms of C * atomic mass of C) / molar mass of the compound * 100
= (5 * 12.01) / 169.114 * 100

Percent composition of H:
= (Number of atoms of H * atomic mass of H) / molar mass of the compound * 100
= (8 * 1.008) / 169.114 * 100

Percent composition of N:
= (Number of atoms of N * atomic mass of N) / molar mass of the compound * 100
= (1 * 14.01) / 169.114 * 100

Percent composition of O:
= (Number of atoms of O * atomic mass of O) / molar mass of the compound * 100
= (4 * 16.00) / 169.114 * 100

By calculating these values, you can determine the percent composition of monosodium glutamate.