Final answer:
The empirical formula for copper chloride, based on the mass comparison of copper and chlorine, is CuCl₂ (Option B).
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the empirical formula of copper chloride based on the experimental data provided, we compare the masses of copper and chlorine. In compound A, we have 1.79 g of Cu for every gram of Cl, whereas in compound B, we have 0.896 g of Cu for every gram of Cl. This comparison suggests that compound B, with approximately half the amount of copper per gram of chlorine compared to compound A, is likely to be CuCl2 as its empirical formula, since the ratio reflects that there is twice as much chlorine by mass as copper.
In the provided exercise to write the formulas of ionic compounds, the formula for copper(I) oxide is indicated as Cu2O, which is a different valence state of copper than in copper chloride. Based on this exercise and the experimental data, the empirical formula for copper chloride is CuCl2 (Option B).