Question

Calculate the empirical formula of lithium carbonate, if a sample contains 2.8g of lithium, 2.4g of carbon and 9.6g of oxygen.

Answer 1

Li₂CO₃

Step-by-step explanation:

Given parameters:

Mass of lithium = 2.8g

Mass of carbon = 2.4g

Mass of oxygen = 9.6g

Unknown:

Empirical formula of the compound = ?

Solution:

The empirical formula is the simplest formula of a compound.

Elements Lithium Carbon Oxygen

Mass 2.8 2.4 9.6

Molar mass 7 12 16

Number of

moles 2.8/7 2.4/12 9.6/16

0.4 0.2 0.6

Divide by the

smallest 0.4/0.2 0.2/0.2 0.6/0.2

2 1 3

The empirical formula is Li₂CO₃