Answer:
P₂Cl₁₀
Explanation:
From the question given above, the following data were obtained:
Molar mass of compound X = 416.48 g/mol
Percentage of phosphorus (P) = 14.87%
Percentage of Chlorine (Cl) = 85.13%
Molecular formula of X =?
Next, we shall determine the empirical formula of compound X. This can be obtained as follow:
P = 14.87%
Cl = 85.13%
Divide by their molar mass
P = 14.87 / 31 = 0.480
Cl = 85.13 / 35.5 = 2.398
Divide by the smallest
P = 0.480 / 0.480 = 1
Cl = 2.398 / 0.480 = 5
Empirical formula of compound X is PCl₅
Finally, we shall determine the molecular formula of compound X. This can be obtained as follow:
Molar mass of compound X = 416.48 g/mol
Empirical formula = PCl₅
Molecular formula =?
Molecular formula= [Empirical formula]ₙ
[PCl₅]ₙ = 416.48
[31 + (35.5 × 5)]ₙ = 416.48
[31 + 177.5]n = 416.48
208.5n = 416.48
Divide both side by 208.5
n = 416.48 / 208.5
n = 2
Molecular formula = [PCl₅]ₙ
Molecular formula = [PCl₅]₂
Molecular formula = P₂Cl₁₀
Therefore, the molecular formula of compound X is P₂Cl₁₀
