When using chemical formula it is possible to calculate the percentage composition of the chemical. This can be useful when extracting metals from ores or when making fertilisers for specific plants.

It can be calculated using the formula: Percentage Composition=(Mass of the element in 1 mole of the compound/Molar mass of the compound)×100% The mass of one mole of a substance. The percentage ...

Students learn how to determine the percentage composition of a compound and to determine the empirical formula of a compound from experimental data.

As with metal ores, it is useful to be able to calculate exactly what proportion the essential nutrients accounts for in a fertiliser. Ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3) is commonly used as a fertiliser.