1. Find the molar mass of sulfur dioxide (SO₂):
* Sulfur (S): 32.06 g/mol
* Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol (and there are two oxygen atoms)
* Total molar mass of SO₂: 32.06 g/mol + (2 * 16.00 g/mol) = 64.06 g/mol
2. Calculate the mass of sulfur in one mole of SO₂:
* The mass of sulfur in one mole of SO₂ is 32.06 g.
3. Divide the mass of sulfur by the total molar mass of SO₂ and multiply by 100%:
* (32.06 g / 64.06 g) * 100% = 50.04%
Therefore, the percent by mass of sulfur in sulfur dioxide is approximately 50.04%.
