Question

In an experiment, 4.14 g of phosphorus combined with chlorine to produce 27.8 g of a white solid compound. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Answer 1

Explanation:

We already know that we have 4.14 grams of phosphorus, so we only need to solve for grams of chlorine.

We know we have 27.8 grams of product, so 27.8 g product - 4.14 g P = 23.66 g Cl2

Convert into moles:

4.14g P x 1mol/30.97g = .134 mol P

23.66g Cl2 x 1mol/70.9g = .334 mol Cl2

Now, divide both values by the smallest number of moles. In this case, it is .134

.134/.134 = 1

.334/.134 = 2.49

Multiply both numbers by 2 to get whole numbers, and we get P2Cl5.

Therefore, the name of this formula is diphosphorous pentachloride.