Question

Need asap! Step-by-step pls: Determine the empirical formula: 32.37% Na, 22.58% S, 45.05% O​

Answer 1

1) divide each percentage by the relative atomic mass of the element

2) divide all results by the smallest number

3)multiply by a whole number to get the simplest whole number ratio (if necessary)

that is to say:

Na                                   S                            O

32.37÷23                 22.58÷32                45.05÷16

= 1.407                       = 0.7056               = 2.816       (to 4 significant figures)

the smallest number here is 0.7056 so:

1.407÷0.7056        0.7056÷0.7056       2.816÷0.7056

=1.99 approx.2                   = 1                   3.99 approx. 4

here there is no need to carry out step 3 as ratio obtained is already a simplest whole number  ratio

so empirical formula is: Na₂SO₄