Question

Determine the empirical and molecular formula for chrysotile asbestos. Chrysotile has the following percent composition: 28.03% Mg, 21.60% Si, 1.16% H, and 49.21% O. The molar mass for chrysotile is 520.8 g/mol

Answer 1

The empirical and molecular formula : Mg₃Si₂H₂O₈ and Mg₆Si₄H₄O₁₆

Further explanation

Given

28.03% Mg, 21.60% Si, 1.16% H, and 49.21% O

Required

The empirical and molecular formula

Solution

Mol ratio : Mg : Si : H : O =

`\tt (28.03)/(24)/ (21.6)/(28)/ (1.16)/(1)/ (49.12)/(16)\\\\1.17/ 0.771/ 1.16/ 3.07\\\\1.5/ 1/ 1.5/ 4\\\\3/ 2/ 2/ 8`

So empirical formula :

`\tt Mg_3Si_2H_2O_8`

(Emprical formula)n=molecular formula

(Mg₃Si₂H₂O₈)n=520.8

(24.3+28.2+2.1+8.16)n=520.8

(258)n=520.8⇒n=2

The molecular formula : Mg₆Si₄H₄O₁₆