Percent Composition = (Mass of Element/Total Mass) x 100
Given that calcium fluoride is composed of calcium (Ca) and fluorine (F), we need to know their atomic masses:
Atomic mass of Ca = 40.078 g/mol
Atomic mass of F = 18.998 g/mol
In calcium fluoride, there is one calcium atom and two fluorine atoms. So, we need to calculate the molar mass of calcium fluoride:
Molar Mass = (1 x Atomic Mass of Ca) + (2 x Atomic Mass of F)
= (1 x 40.078 g/mol) + (2 x 18.998 g/mol)
= 78.074 g/mol
Now, we can calculate the percent composition of calcium and fluorine in calcium fluoride:
Percent Calcium = (Mass of Calcium/Molar Mass) x 100
= (40.078 g/mol / 78.074 g/mol) x 100
= 51.35%
Percent Fluorine = (Mass of Fluorine/Molar Mass) x 100
= (2 x 18.998 g/mol / 78.074 g/mol) x 100
= 48.65%
Therefore, the percent composition of calcium fluoride is 51.35% calcium and 48.65% fluorine.
