A compound X contains 50% sulpher and 50% oxygen by mass. what is the empirical ( simplest) formula of the compound X? Options a) SO b) SO2 c)SO3 d) SO4 please please Explain. :(

1 Answer
Feb 3, 2018

#=SO_2#

Explanation:

  1. Assuming that the mass of the compound is 100g; therefore, mass of its constituent elements are:
    #S=100gxx50%=50g#
    #O=100gxx50%=50g#
  2. Find the relative atomic masses of these elements which are obtainable from the periodic table; i.e.,
    #S=32.07" g/mol"#
    #O=16.00" g/mol"#
  3. Now, find the mole value of each element.
    #etaS=(50cancel(g))/((32.07cancel(g))/(mol))=1.5591mol#
    #etaO=(50cancel(g))/((16.00cancel(g))/(mol))=3.1250mol#
  4. Then, determine the ratio of moles using the smallest mole value as the denominator.
    #S=1.5591/1.5591=1#
    #O=3.1250/1.5591=2#
  5. Therefore, the empirical formula of the compound is #S_1O_2# or simply written as #SO_2#