Chemistry...Empirical formula problem.?
What is the empirical formula (lowest whole number ratio) of the compounds below?
22.1% aluminum, 25.4% phosphorous, 52.5% oxygen
can you please give a little explanation on each step? i'm really lost. thank you :]
Comments
% by weight is the amount of grams of stuff ...
use molar mass to find moles:
22.1g aluminum, @ 27 g/mol = 0.82 moles of Al
25.4g phosphorous @ 31 g/mol = 0.82 mol P
52.5g oxygen @ 16 g/mol = 3.28 mol O
ratio the moles by dividing by the smallest moles
0.82 mol Al / 0.82 = 1 mol Al
0.82 mol P / 0.82 = 1 mol P
3.28 mol O / 0.82 = 4 mol O
that gives your empirical formula:
AlPO4