1. Calculate the Molar Mass of Each Compound
* H₂SO₃ (Sulfurous Acid):
* H: 1.01 g/mol * 2 = 2.02 g/mol
* S: 32.07 g/mol * 1 = 32.07 g/mol
* O: 16.00 g/mol * 3 = 48.00 g/mol
* Total Molar Mass = 2.02 + 32.07 + 48.00 = 82.09 g/mol
* H₂S₂O₈ (Peroxydisulfuric Acid):
* H: 1.01 g/mol * 2 = 2.02 g/mol
* S: 32.07 g/mol * 2 = 64.14 g/mol
* O: 16.00 g/mol * 8 = 128.00 g/mol
* Total Molar Mass = 2.02 + 64.14 + 128.00 = 194.16 g/mol
2. Calculate the Percent by Mass of Sulfur in Each Compound
* H₂SO₃:
* (Mass of Sulfur / Total Molar Mass) * 100%
* (32.07 g/mol / 82.09 g/mol) * 100% = 39.06%
* H₂S₂O₈:
* (Mass of Sulfur / Total Molar Mass) * 100%
* (64.14 g/mol / 194.16 g/mol) * 100% = 33.03%
Conclusion
H₂SO₃ (sulfurous acid) has a larger percent by mass of sulfur (39.06%) compared to H₂S₂O₈ (peroxydisulfuric acid) which has 33.03%.
