Answer:
Empirical formula of the compound = SOCl₂
Explanation:
QUESTION:What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 27.0% S, 13.4% O, and 59.6% Cl by mass?
The empirical formula of a compound is its simplest formula. It tells us
* The component element present in a molecule of the compound.
* The ratio in which these elements are combined together, i.e mole ratio.
To calculate the empirical formula of a compound that contains 27.0% S, 13.4% O, and 59.6% Cl by mass. ( Relative atomic mass of S=32gmol⁻¹, 0=16gmol⁻¹, Cl=35.5gmol⁻¹)
Sulphure S, Oxygen O, Chlorine Cl
percentage by mass: 27.0% 13.4% 59.6%
Step 1:
Divide by their relative
atomic mass: 27.0/32.0 13.4/16.0 59.6/35.5
⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒ 0.844 0.838 1.679
Step 2:
Divide by the
smallest mole ratio: 0.844/0.838 0.838/0.838 1.679/0.838
∴ 1 : 1 : 2.
from the analysis above, the compound contains Sulphur, Oxygen and Chlorine in the ratio of 1:1:2.
∴ Empirical formula of the compound = SOCl₂
