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
Explanation:
- Assuming that the mass of the compound is 100g; therefore, mass of its constituent elements are:
#S=100gxx50%=50g#
#O=100gxx50%=50g# - 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"# - 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# - 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# - Therefore, the empirical formula of the compound is
#S_1O_2# or simply written as#SO_2#