Question

What is the empirical formula? A compound being used in experimental medicine is 78.14% boron (B) and 21.86% hydrogen (H). The empirical formula of the compound will have a boron to hydrogen ratio of :

Answer 1

The empirical formula is BH₃. Its B:H ratio is 1:3.

Assume that you have 100 g of the compound.

Then you have 78.14 g B and 21.86 g H.

Now, we must convert these masses to moles and find their ratios.

From here on, I like to summarize the calculations in a table.

Element  Mass/g    Moles     Ratio     Integers

     B          78.14      7.2285    1                    1

     H          21.86    21.686      3.0001          3

The empirical formula is BH₃.