The percent composition is the percent by mass of each element in a compound.
Percent composition is important because it allows us to determine the percentage of each element that makes up a specific compound.
Formula to calculate percent composition.
![Calculate Percent Composition](https://www.learntocalculate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/percent-composition-1.png)
Example:
Determine the percent composition of sodium in sodium hydroxide.
![Calculate Percent Composition.](https://www.learntocalculate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/percent-composition-2.png)
Thus, the percent composition in sodium is 57.5%.