Answer:
Pb3O4
Explanation:
According to this question, 3.425g of lead oxide was reduced to form 3.105g of lead in an experiment. Since lead oxide contains both lead (Pb) and oxygen (O) element,
Mass of lead oxide = 3.425g
Mass of lead = 3.105g
Mass of oxygen = (3.425g - 3.105g) = 0.320g
Next, we convert each mass value to mole by dividing by respective molar mass
Pb = 3.105g ÷ 207.2 = 0.0149mol
O = 0.320g ÷ 16 = 0.02mol
Next, we divide each mole value by the smallest (0.0149)
Pb = 0.0149mol ÷ 0.0149mol = 1
O = 0.02mol ÷ 0.0149mol = 1.342
Multiply each ratio value by 3 to get:
Pb = 1 × 3 = 3
O = 1.342 × 3 = 4.026
The whole number ratio, approximately, of Pb and O is 3:4, hence, their empirical formula is Pb3O4.
