Question

A pure substance is found to contain 53.7% fluorine and 46.3% xenon by mass. What is the empirical formula of this substance?

Answer 1

Answer: XF8

Explanation:

Empirical Formular shows the simplest ratio of elements in a compound.

 Xe = 46.3%             F  = 53.7%

Divide the percentage composition of each element by the atomic  mass.

Xe = 46.3/ 131.3                      F= 53.7/ 19

      = 0.353( approx)               =  2.826 (approx)

Divide through with the smallest of the answers gotten in previous step.

 Xe = 0.353 / 0.353                F = 2.826/ 0.353

       =  1                                       = 8.0

Empirical formular = XF8