Chemistry Challenge: Calculate the Percent Concentration of a Solution!

How do you calculate the percent concentration of a solution?

Given a solution of hydrochloric acid formed by dissolving 8.8 g of hydrogen chloride gas in enough water to make 28.1 mL of solution, what is the percent concentration of the solution?

Answer:

The percent concentration of the solution is 31.4%.

Calculating the percent concentration of a solution involves determining the ratio of the mass of the solute to the total mass of the solution and multiplying by 100. In this case, the solution contains 8.8 g of hydrogen chloride gas and has a volume of 28.1 mL.

To calculate the total mass of the solution, we need to consider the density of water, which is approximately 1 g/mL. Using the given volume of the solution, we can determine that the mass of the solution is 28.1 g.

By dividing the mass of the solute (8.8 g) by the mass of the solution (28.1 g) and multiplying by 100, we find that the percent concentration of the solution is 31.4%. This means that 31.4% of the solution's mass is composed of hydrogen chloride gas.

Understanding how to calculate percent concentration is essential in chemistry, as it provides valuable information about the composition of a solution. By following the steps outlined in this example, you can easily determine the percent concentration of any given solution.