What is the mass percent of oxygen (O) in carbon dioxide (CO_2)? Provide your answer to two decimal places.

• A. 66.67%
• B. 72.73%
• C. 44.00%
• D. 27.27%

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula of carbon dioxide, which is \(\mathrm{CO_2}\), meaning it contains 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.
2. Find the atomic masses of carbon and oxygen from the periodic table: approximately 12.01 g/mol for carbon and 16.00 g/mol for oxygen.
3. Calculate the molar mass of carbon dioxide by adding the atomic mass of carbon and twice the atomic mass of oxygen: \(M_{\mathrm{CO_2}} = 12.01 + 2 \times 16.00\) g/mol.
4. Calculate the total mass of oxygen in one mole of carbon dioxide: \(M_{\mathrm{Oxygen}} = 2 \times 16.00\) g/mol.
5. Determine the mass percent of oxygen in carbon dioxide using the formula: \(\text{Mass \% of O} = \left( \frac{M_{\mathrm{Oxygen}}}{M_{\mathrm{CO_2}}} \right) \times 100\%\).