Question

What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 32.39 percent sodium, 22.53 percent sulfur, and 45.07 percent oxygen?

Answer 1

To get the empirical formula of this compound, we take a basis of 100 grams which means each percentage is equivalent to 1 gram. Hence there is 32.39 grams sodium, 22. 53 grams sulfur and 45.07 grams oxygen. We convert each mass to their moles by dividing by their respective molar mass. Na: 1.408, S:0.704 and O:2.82. divide each with the lowest: Na: 2: S: 1 and O:4. Hence the formula is Na2SO4.