Answer:
The empirical formula is V₂O
Empirical formula of a compound is the formula that shows the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of elements in a given compound. Empirical formula is normally calculated when the mass of each element in a compound is known or the percentage composition by mass of each element in a compound is known.
Step by Step Explanation:
Step 1: Percentage composition of each element
Percentage composition=(mass of an element/ mass of the compound)100%
Mass of Vanadium = 20.38 g
Mass of the compound = 23.58 g
% composition of Vanadium = (20.38 g/23.58 g) 100%
= 86.43 %
Mass of Oxygen = 23.58 g -20.38 g
= 3.2 g
% composition of oxygen = (3.2/g/23.58 g) 100%
= 13.57%
Step 2: Find the number of atoms of each element in the compound
Number of atoms = percentage composition/ atomic mass
Atomic mass of Vanadium = 50.94 g/mol
Number of atoms of V = 86.43 /50.94
= 1.6967
Atomic mass of oxygen = 16 g/mol
Number of atoms of O = 13.57/16
= 0.8481
Step 3: Find the simplest ratio of atoms
Vanadium : Oxygen
1.6967 : 0.8481
= 1.6967/0.8481 : 0.8481/0.8481
= 2: 1
Whole number ratio = 2 : 1
Therefore; the empirical formula is V₂O
