Mass Percent Calculator
Calculate mass percentage, concentrations, and component ratios for solutions and compounds
Calculate Mass Percentage
Mass of dissolved substance
Mass of dissolving medium (usually water)
Total mass of solution (solute + solvent)
Example Calculation
Saline Solution Example
Problem: Calculate the mass percentage of NaCl in a saline solution
Given: 9 g of NaCl dissolved in 991 g of water
Total solution mass: 9 + 991 = 1000 g
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Mass % = (Mass of Solute ÷ Mass of Solution) × 100
2. Mass % = (9 g ÷ 1000 g) × 100
3. Mass % = 0.009 × 100
4. Mass % = 0.9% (physiological saline)
Common Solutions
Saline Solution (0.9% NaCl)
Mass %: 0.9%
Vinegar (5% Acetic Acid)
Mass %: 5%
Rubbing Alcohol (70% Isopropanol)
Mass %: 70%
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
Mass %: 3%
Glucose Solution (5%)
Mass %: 5%
Salt Water (3.5%)
Mass %: 3.5%
Mass Percent Tips
Mass % is independent of temperature
Use consistent mass units throughout
Solution mass = solute + solvent
Maximum possible mass % is 100%
Higher % = more concentrated solution
Understanding Mass Percent
What is Mass Percent?
Mass percent (mass %) is a way of expressing the concentration of a solution or the composition of a mixture. It represents the mass of a component divided by the total mass, multiplied by 100 to get a percentage.
Applications
- •Solution preparation in laboratories
- •Food and beverage industry (alcohol content, etc.)
- •Pharmaceutical formulations
- •Quality control and analysis
Key Formulas
Mass % = (Mass of Component / Total Mass) × 100
Mass % = (Mass of Solute / Mass of Solution) × 100
Mass of Solution = Mass of Solute + Mass of Solvent
Key Characteristics
- Temperature Independent: Unlike molarity, mass % doesn't change with temperature
- Unitless: Expressed as a percentage (0-100%)
- Additive: All components sum to 100%
- Practical: Easy to measure and prepare
Remember: Mass percent is particularly useful for solid-liquid solutions where volume measurements are difficult.