How much chlorine is contained in sodium hypochlorite?

Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is a compound that contains sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and oxygen (O). To determine the percentage of chlorine by weight in sodium hypochlorite, one must consider the molar masses of each of the constituent elements.

• The atomic mass of sodium (Na) is about 23 g/mol.

• The atomic mass of chlorine (Cl) is about 35.5 g/mol.

• The atomic mass of oxygen (O) is about 16 g/mol.

Thus, the molar mass of sodium hypochlorite can be calculated as follows:

[

Molar , mass , of , NaClO = 23 , (Na) + 35.5 , (Cl) + 16 , (O) = 74.5 , g/mol

]

To find the percentage of chlorine in sodium hypochlorite, the weight of chlorine is divided by the total molar mass of the compound and then multiplied by 100:

[

\text{Percentage of Cl} = \left( \frac{35.5 , g/mol , (Cl)}{74.5 , g/mol