The empirical formula :
MgCl₂
Li₂O
Further explanation
Given
a 3.60 g of magnesium and 10.65 g of chlorine
b 9.1 g of lithium and 10.4 g of oxygen
Required
The empirical formula
Solution
The empirical formula is the smallest comparison of atoms of compound forming elements.
A molecular formula is a formula that shows the number of atomic elements that make up a compound.
(empirical formula) n = molecular formula
a. mol ratio of Mg (Ar=24 g/mol) and Cl(Ar=35.5 g/mol)
Mg : Cl
=3.6/24 : 10.65/35.5
=0.15 : 0.3 = divide by 0.15
=1 : 2
The empirical formula : MgCl₂
b. a. mol ratio of Li (Ar=7 g/mol) and O(Ar=16 g/mol)
Li : O
=9.1/7 : 10.4/16
=1.3 : 0.65 = divide by 0.65
= 2 : 1
The empirical formula : Li₂O