Question

Atoms of element X weigh 32 times more than atoms of element Y. A compound has the formula: XY2 The ratio of the mass of X to the mass of Y in this compound equals: g

Answer 1

Answer:

16:1

Explanation:

Atoms of element X weigh 32 times more than atoms of element Y. We can write this in a symbolic way.

mX = 32 mY   [1]

where,

• mX and mY are the masses of X and Y, respectively

A compound has the formula: XY₂, that is, in 1 molecule of XY₂ there is 1 atom of X and 2 atoms of Y. The ratio of the mass of X to the mass of Y in this compound equals:

mX/2 mY  [2]

If we substitute [1] in [2], we get:

mX/2 mY = 32 mY/2 mY = 16 = 16:1