The empirical formula of the compound is C. NiF₂.
Step 1. Calculate the moles of each element
The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.
The ratio of atoms is the same as the ratio of moles.
So, our job is to calculate the molar ratio of Ni to F.
Moles of Ni = 9.11 g Ni × (1 mol Ni /(58.69 g Ni) = 0.1552 mol Ni
Moles of F = 5.89 g F × (1 mol F/19.00 g F) = 0.3100 mol F
Step 2. Calculate the molar ratio of the elements
Divide each number by the smallest number of moles
Ni:F = 0.1552:0.3100 = 1:1.997 ≈ 1:2
Step 3: Write the empirical formula
EF = NiF₂