Explanation:
An alpha particles is basically a helium nucleus and it contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
Symbol of an alpha particle is . Whereas a neutron is represented by a symbol
, that is, it has zero protons and only 1 neutron.
Therefore, reaction equation when an aluminum- nuclide transforms into a phosphorus- nuclide by absorbing an alpha particle and emitting a neutron is as follows.
The answer is:
The empirical formula is the option B.
The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest formula that can be written. On the opposite, the molecular formula involves a variant of the same compound, but it can be also simplified to an empirical formula.
We are looking for a formula that cannot be simplified by dividing the number of molecules/atoms that conforms the compound.
Let's discard option by option in order to find which formula is an empirical formula (cannot be simplified)
A.
It's not an empirical formula, it's a molecular formula since it can be obtained by multiplying the empirical formula of the same compound.
B.
It's an empirical formula since it cannot be obtained by the multiplication of a whole number and the simplest formula. It's the simplest formula that we can find of the compound.
C.
It's not an empirical formula, it's a molecular formula since it can be obtained by multiplying the empirical formula of the same compound.
D.
It's not an empirical formula, it's a molecular formula since it can be obtained by multiplying the empirical formula of the same compound.
Hence, the empirical formula is the option B.
Have a nice day!