If a sample has a dry mass of 234 and the original mass of 254.3, what is the moisture content?

• A. 10.5%
• B. 8.7%
• C. 5.8%
• D. 12.3%

Answer: (B)

To determine the moisture content of a sample, you can use the formula:

[

\text{Moisture Content (%)} = \left( \frac{\text{Original Mass} - \text{Dry Mass}}{\text{Original Mass}} \right) \times 100

]

In this case, the original mass of the sample is 254.3 grams, and the dry mass is 234 grams. First, we'll calculate the difference between the original mass and the dry mass:

[

\text{Original Mass} - \text{Dry Mass} = 254.3 - 234 = 20.3 \text{ grams}

]

Next, we can substitute this value into the formula for moisture content:

[

\text{Moisture Content (%)} = \left( \frac{20.3}{254.3} \right) \times 100

]

Calculating the fraction:

[

\frac{20.3}{254.3} \approx 0.0799

]

Now, convert this into a percentage:

[

0.0799 \times 100 \approx 7.99%

]

When rounding to one decimal