Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:04:54 +0000

#### 1.81. A chemical solution contains 5% salt by mass. If 20 grams of salt are added to 200 grams of the solution, what is the new percentage of salt by mass?
In scientific and industrial contexts, tracking how salt affects solution concentration is essential—especially in fields like food science, water treatment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Right now, discussions around precise salt ratios play a key role in quality control and formula accuracy. This query reflects growing interest in understanding basic chemistry in everyday applications. With rising awareness around health, household care, and education, knowledge of even simple chemical principles is increasingly relevant. Adding salt to a known mass of solution directly alters its concentration—a concept essential for professionals, students, and curious learners alike. The original solution contains 200 grams with 5% salt by mass. This means it initially holds:
5% of 200 grams = 10 grams of salt.
Adding 20 grams of pure salt results in:
10 grams (original) + 20 grams (added) = 30 grams of salt.
The total mass becomes:
200 grams (solution) + 20 grams (salt) = 220 grams.
New salt percentage is (30 / 220) × 100 = 13.64%, rounded to two decimal places. Interest in precise percentages strengthens reliability across sciences, especially when small changes significantly impact outcomes. This baseline example serves as a foundation for understanding solution chemistry beyond basic ratios.