Caffeine (C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 ), is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, colas and energy drinks. It is
used to restore mental alertness or wakefulness during fatigue or drowsiness. Caffeine is
also found in some headache and migraine medications. Solve for its percent
composition.
Solution:
Atomic mass of elements:
Ar(C) = 12.0107 amu
Ar(H) = 1.00784 amu
Ar(N) = 14.0067 amu
Ar(O) = 15.999 amu
Calculate the molar mass of caffeine (C8H10N4O2):
M(C8H10N4O2) = 8×Ar(C) + 10×Ar(H) + 4×Ar(N) + 2×Ar(O)
M(C8H10N4O2) = 8×12.0107 + 10×1.00784 + 4×14.0067 + 2×15.999 = 194.1888 (g/mol)
Calculate the percent composition of caffeine (C8H10N4O2):
w(C) = [8×Ar(C) / M(C8H10N4O2)] × 100%
w(C) = [8×12.0107 / 194.1888] × 100% = 49.48%
w(C) = 49.48%
w(H) = [10×Ar(H) / M(C8H10N4O2)] × 100%
w(H) = [10×1.00784 / 194.1888] × 100% = 5.19%
w(H) = 5.19%
w(N) = [4×Ar(N) / M(C8H10N4O2)] × 100%
w(N) = [4×14.0067 / 194.1888] × 100% = 28.85%
w(N) = 28.85%
w(O) = [2×Ar(O) / M(C8H10N4O2)] × 100%
w(O) = [2×15.999 / 194.1888] × 100% = 16.48%
w(O) = 16.48%
Answer:
Caffeine contains 49.48% Carbon, 5.19% Hydrogen, 28.85% nitrogen, 16.48% oxygen.
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