Question

What is the empirical formula? A compound is used to treat iron deficiency in people. It contains 36.76% iron, 21.11% sulfur, and 42.13% oxygen. The empirical formula is FeSO. Reset Next

Answer 1

Empirical Formula is Fe1S1O4

(the numbers are suppose to be subscript)

Answer 2

Answer:
`FeSO_4`

Solution : Given,

If percentage are given then we are taking total mass is 100 grams.

So, the mass of each element is equal to the percentage given.

Mass of Fe = 36.76 g

Mass of S = 21.11 g

Mass of O = 42.13 g

Step 1 : convert given masses into moles.

Moles of Fe =
`\frac{\text{ given mass of Fe}}{\text{ molar mass of Fe}}= (36.76g)/(56g/mole)=0.65moles`

Moles of S = \frac{\text{ given mass of S}}{\text{ molar mass of S}}= \frac{21.11g}{32g/mole}=0.65moles

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Moles of O = \frac{\text{ given mass of O}}{\text{ molar mass of O}}= \frac{42.13g}{16g/mole}=2.63[/tex]

Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.

For Fe =
`(0.65)/(0.65)=1`

For S =
`(0.65)/(0.65)=1`

For O =
`(2.63)/(0.65)=4`

The ratio of Fe : S : O= 1 : 1 : 4

Hence the empirical formula is
`Fe_(1)S_(1)O_4`