STUDENT SPACE · TOPIC 4

Composition and purity

Calculate percentage composition and purity, then choose the correct mass in a reaction.

The essentials

  • Find the mass contribution of the chosen element in the formula.
  • Divide by the total relative mass and multiply by 100.
  • Ca contributes 40 to a total of 100.
  • Percentage of Ca = (40 ÷ 100) × 100 = 40%.

Key vocabulary

EnglishChinese
percentage composition质量分数
purity纯度
impurity杂质

Quick practice

Try each question before opening its hint or answer. Use paper for calculations and diagrams.

Question 1

Does 80% purity mean 80 g of pure substance in every sample?

Need a hint for Question 1?

Use the relationships above and check particle ratios and units.

Check Question 1

No. It means 80 g in each 100 g of sample, or a pure-mass fraction of 0.80.

Question 2

Calculate the percentage nitrogen in NH₄NO₃. Aᵣ: N = 14, H = 1, O = 16.

Need a hint for Question 2?

Count both nitrogen atoms and divide by total formula mass.

Check Question 2

Mᵣ = 80; nitrogen contribution = 28. Nitrogen = 28/80 × 100 = 35%.

Question 3

A 12 g sample contains 9 g pure salt. Calculate its purity and the impurity mass.

Need a hint for Question 3?

Purity is pure-substance mass divided by sample mass.

Check Question 3

Purity = 9/12 × 100 = 75%; impurity = 12 − 9 = 3 g.

Use Lesson 4 in your worksheet for written practice. Your teacher will discuss those answers in class.

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