Question

A compound is found to contain 7.962 % silicon , 20.10 % chlorine , and 71.94 % iodine by mass. to answer the question, enter the elements in the order presented above. question 1: the empirical formula for this compound is

Answer 1

Empirical   formula  is  calculated   as  follows

calculate  the  moles  of  each  element,  that  is   %  composition/  molar  mass
molar  masses  (  Si=  28.09g/mol ,  Cl=  35.5  g/mol,  I=126.9 g/mol)

moles  of  silicon =  7.962/28.09g/mol=  0.283  moles
moles  of  chlorine =  20.10 / 35.5g/mol =  0.566  moles
moles  of  iodine=  71.94 / 126.9  g/mol=  0.567  moles

divide  each  mole   with  smallest    mole  (0.283)
that  is    silicon =  0.283/0.283= 1 mole
             chlorine =  0.566/0.283=  2 mole
            Iodine=  o.567/0.283= 2  moles
empirical  formula  is  therefore=  SiCl2I2