Calculate the percentage by mass of the indicated element in the following compounds: d. platinum in PtCl2(NH3)2, a chemotherapy agent called cisplatin

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Determine the molar mass of the compound PtCl2(NH3)2. This involves adding the atomic masses of each element in the compound: Pt (platinum), Cl (chlorine), and N (nitrogen) and H (hydrogen) from NH3. The formula for molar mass is: Molar mass of PtCl2(NH3)2 = (Mass of Pt) + 2*(Mass of Cl) + 2*(Mass of N + 3*Mass of H).

Find the atomic mass of platinum (Pt) from the periodic table.

Calculate the percentage by mass of platinum in the compound. Use the formula: \(\text{Percentage by mass of Pt} = \left(\frac{\text{Mass of Pt}}{\text{Molar mass of PtCl2(NH3)2}}\right) \times 100\%\).

Substitute the atomic mass of Pt and the molar mass of PtCl2(NH3)2 into the formula.

Evaluate the expression to find the percentage by mass of platinum in cisplatin.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Molar Mass

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in a chemical formula. Understanding molar mass is essential for determining the percentage by mass of an element in a compound, as it provides the necessary basis for the calculations.

Percentage by Mass

Percentage by mass is a way to express the concentration of an element within a compound. It is calculated by dividing the mass of the element in one mole of the compound by the total molar mass of the compound, then multiplying by 100. This concept is crucial for quantifying how much of a compound's mass is attributable to a specific element.

Chemical Formula Interpretation

Interpreting a chemical formula involves understanding the composition of a compound, including the types and numbers of atoms present. For example, in PtCl2(NH3)2, the formula indicates one platinum atom, two chlorine atoms, and two ammonia groups. This interpretation is vital for accurately calculating the contributions of each element to the overall mass of the compound.

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