The density of the sample is:
Density = mass / volume
Density = 9.85 / 0.675
Density = 14.6 g/cm³
If the sample has 95% gold, and 5% silver, its density should be:
0.95 x 19.3 + 0.05 x 10.5
Theoretical density = 18.9 g/cm³
The difference in theoretical and actual densities is very large, making it likely that the jeweler was not telling the truth.
The way you calculate the empirical formula is to firstly assume 100g. To find each elements moles you take each elements percentage listed, times it by one mole and divide it by its atomic mass. (ex: moles of K =55.3g x 1 mole/39.1g, therefore there is 1.41432225 moles of Potassium) Once you’ve completed this for every element you list each elements symbol beside it’s number of moles and divide by the smallest number because it can only go into its self once. After you’ve done this, you’ve found your empirical formula, which is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound. I’ve added an example of a empirical question I completed last semester :)
Magnesium is classified as a metal. Magnesium has two valence electrons