Answer
The empirical formula for this compound is SnI₄
Step-by-step explanation
Given:
% composition: 19% tin and 81% iodine
What to find:
The empirical formula for the compound
Step-by-step solution:
Assume we have 100 grams total of the substance.
Grams Sn: 19 g
Grams I: 81 g
Now, let's convert the number of grams of each element into moles below:
Moles Sn: 19 g/118.71 g/mol = 0.16 mol
Moles I: 81 g/126.90 g/mol = 0.64 mol
Finally, let's divide the number of moles of each element by the smallest number obtained:
Sn = 0.16/0.16 = 1
I = 0.64/0.16 = 4
Therefore the empirical formula for this compound is SnI₄