Percent Composition of Carbon in Dimethylsulfoxide (C2H6SO4)

[priscilla89]

Homework Statement

What is the percentage of carbon in dimethylsulfoxide, C2 H6 SO4?

Homework Equations

mass of C / total mass x 100 = percentage of carbon

The Attempt at a Solution

The total mass = 126

total mass of C = 24

Wouldn't it be 24 / 126 x 100 = 19 %

But somehow I got this wrong, it's 30.7 %

Any help will be appreciated, thanks a lot

 

[sjb-2812]

Homework Statement

What is the percentage of carbon in dimethylsulfoxide, C2 H6 SO4?

Homework Equations

mass of C / total mass x 100 = percentage of carbon

The Attempt at a Solution

The total mass = 126

total mass of C = 24

Wouldn't it be 24 / 126 x 100 = 19 %

But somehow I got this wrong, it's 30.7 %

Any help will be appreciated, thanks a lot

Are you sure of your formula for dimethyl sulfoxide?

 

[priscilla89]

Are you sure of your formula for dimethyl sulfoxide?

Yes, but I think somehow it's the formula that's wrong.

 

[sjb-2812]

No, if you are happy that the chemical formula you have given is correct, the maths is also correct. However, see e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dimethyl_sulfoxide&oldid=399297621 or similar.

 

[priscilla89]

No, if you are happy that the chemical formula you have given is correct, the maths is also correct. However, see e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dimethyl_sulfoxide&oldid=399297621 or similar.

But the formula has to be (CH3)2 SO.

24 / 78 x 100 = 30.7 %

- thanks a lot and happy holidays