1. Find the molar mass of SO₂:
* Sulfur (S): 32.06 g/mol
* Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol (and we have two oxygen atoms)
* Total molar mass of SO₂: 32.06 + (16.00 x 2) = 64.06 g/mol
2. Calculate the mass of oxygen in SO₂:
* Mass of oxygen: 16.00 g/mol x 2 = 32.00 g/mol
3. Calculate the mass percent of oxygen:
* Mass percent of oxygen = (mass of oxygen / molar mass of SO₂) x 100%
* Mass percent of oxygen = (32.00 g/mol / 64.06 g/mol) x 100%
* Mass percent of oxygen ≈ 50%
Therefore, the mass percent of oxygen in sulfur dioxide is approximately 50%.
