1 2 3 4 5 and how the question ask
The empirical formula is N₂O₅.
The empirical formula is the <em>simplest whole-number ratio of atoms</em> in a compound.
The ratio of atoms is the same as the ratio of moles, so our job is to calculate the <em>molar ratio of N:O</em>.
I like to summarize the calculations in a table.
<u>Element</u> <u>Moles</u> <u>Ratio¹ </u> <u> ×2² </u> <u>Integers</u>³
N 1.85 1 2 2
O 4.63 2.503 5.005 5
¹To get the molar ratio, you divide each number of moles by the smallest number (1.85).
²Multiply these values by a number (2) that makes the numbers in the ratio close to integers.
³Round off the number in the ratio to integers (2 and 5).
The empirical formula is N₂O₅.
This separation technique is a 4-step procedure. First, add H₂SO₄ to the solution. Because of common ion effect, BaSO₄ will not react, only Mg(OH)₂.
Mg(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ → MgSO₄ + 2 H₂O
The aqueous solution will now contain MgSO₄ and BaSO₄. Unlike BaSO₄, MgSO₄ is soluble in water. So, you filter out the solution. You can set aside the BaSO₄ on the filter paper. To retrieve Mg(OH)₂, add NaOH.
MgSO₄ + 2 NaOH = Mg(OH)₂ + Na₂SO₄
Na₂SO₄ is soluble in water, while Mg(OH)₂ is not. Filter this solution again. The Mg(OH)₂ is retrieved in solid form on the filter paper.