In one mole of CO2, how many grams of carbon are present?

In one mole of CO2, how many grams of carbon are present?

• A. 44.01 g
• B. 27.29 g
• C. 12.01 g
• D. 8.0 g

Answer: (C)

In a compound, the amount of each element is determined by how many atoms of that element are in each molecule. CO2 has exactly one carbon atom per molecule, so one mole of CO2 contains one mole of carbon atoms. The mass of one mole of carbon atoms is 12.01 g, which is the atomic mass of carbon. Therefore, one mole of CO2 contains 12.01 g of carbon. The total molar mass of CO2 is 44.01 g, so carbon makes up about 27.3% of the mass, reinforcing that the carbon portion is 12.01 g per mole of CO2.

In a compound, the amount of each element is determined by how many atoms of that element are in each molecule. CO2 has exactly one carbon atom per molecule, so one mole of CO2 contains one mole of carbon atoms. The mass of one mole of carbon atoms is 12.01 g, which is the atomic mass of carbon. Therefore, one mole of CO2 contains 12.01 g of carbon. The total molar mass of CO2 is 44.01 g, so carbon makes up about 27.3% of the mass, reinforcing that the carbon portion is 12.01 g per mole of CO2.