Question

A mineral consisted of 29.4% calcium, 23.5% sulfur and 47.1% oxygen. What is the empirical formula?

Answer 1

step one calculate the moles of each element
that is moles= % composition/molar mass
molar mass of Ca = 40g/mol, S= 32 g/mol , O= 16 g/mol

moles of Ca = 29.4 /40g/mol=0.735 moles, S= 23.5/32 =0.734 moles, O= 47.1/16= 2.94 moles

calculate the mole ratio by dividing each mole with smallest mole that is 0.734
Ca= 0.735/0.734= 1, S= 0.734/0.734 =1, O = 2.94/ 0.734= 4
therefore the emipical formula = CaSO4