Question

A compound is found to contain 23.3% magnesium 30.7% sulphur and 46% oxygen . What is the empirical formula of this compound. ​

Answer 1

Answer:

if you satisfied with my answer please mark me as a brainlist answer.

Explanation:

Explanation:

As is standard for these sorts of questions, we assume 100 g of substance, and use the percentage elemental compositions to calculate an empirical formula.

Magnesium = 23.3⋅g24.31⋅g⋅mol−1 = 0.958⋅mol

Sulfur = 30.7⋅g32.06⋅g⋅mol−1 = 0.958⋅mol

Oxygen = 46.0⋅g15.999⋅g⋅mol−1 = 2.86⋅mol

We divide thru by the smallest molar quantity (0.958⋅mol) to get and empirical formula of MgSO3, magnesium sulfite.

Ordinarily you would not be given the percentage of oxygen by mass. You would be given the percentages of the metal and sulfur, and would have to assume that the balance was oxygen.