Answer: The percentage by weight of sodium in sodium sulfate is 32.37 %.
Explanation:
In [tex]Na_2SO_4[/tex], there are 2 sodium atoms, 1 sulfur atom and 4 oxygen atoms.
To calculate the mass percent of element in a given compound, we use the formula:
[tex]\text{Mass percent of sodium}=\frac{\text{Mass of sodium}}{\text{Molar mass of sodium sulfate}}\times 100[/tex]
Mass of sodium = [tex](2\times 22.99)=45.98g[/tex]
Mass of sodium sulfate = [tex][(2\times 22.99)+32.07+(4\times 16)]=142.05g[/tex]
Putting values in above equation, we get:
[tex]\text{Mass percent of sodium}=\frac{45.98g}{142.05}\times 100=32.37\%[/tex]
Hence, the mass percent of sodium in sodium sulfate is 32.37%.
