Let us assume that there is a 100g sample of Opal. The masses of each element will be:
29.2g Si
33.3g O
37.5g H2O
Now we divide each constituent's mass by its Mr to get the moles present
Si: (29.2 / 28) = 1.04
O: (33.3 / 16) = 2.08
H2O: (37.5 / 18) = 2.08
Now we divide by the smallest number and obtain:
Si: 1
O: 2
H2O: 2
Thus, the empirical formula of Opal is:
SiO2 . 2H2O
The ammonia gas is absorbed in the concentrated brine to produce aqueous sodium chloride and aqueous ammonia. This ammoniation process is exothermic, so energy is released as heat. The ammonia tower eventually needs to be cooled.
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