Final answer:
The simplest formula for the compound is determined by converting the given mass percentages to moles, finding the mole ratio, and translating that into the molecular formula. Based on the mass percentages for sulfur and chlorine given, and inferring the rest for oxygen, the simplest formula is SOCl2, which corresponds to answer choice B.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the simplest formula for a compound containing sulfur, oxygen, and chlorine with a given mass percent of sulfur and chlorine, we will use the concept of percent composition. The remaining mass percent after accounting for sulfur and chlorine must be that of oxygen.
We are given that the mass percent of sulfur is 26.95% and that of chlorine is 59.61%. The mass percent of oxygen can be determined by subtracting these values from 100%, which gives 13.44% oxygen (100% - 26.95% - 59.61% = 13.44%).
To determine the simplest formula, we assume a 100 g sample of the compound, meaning we have 26.95 g sulfur, 59.61 g chlorine, and 13.44 g oxygen. We then convert these masses to moles by dividing by the atomic masses of each element: S (32.065 g/mol), Cl (35.453 g/mol), and O (15.999 g/mol).
This gives us approximately 0.84 moles of sulfur (26.95 g / 32.065 g/mol), 1.68 moles of chlorine (59.61 g / 35.453 g/mol), and 0.84 moles of oxygen (13.44 g / 15.999 g/mol).
To determine the simplest whole number ratio, we divide all by the smallest number of moles calculated, which is 0.84 in this case. This provides a ratio of 1:2:1. Therefore, the simplest formula based on our elemental analysis would be SOCl2, which matches answer choice B.
Remember, the molecular formula lists the elements in the molecule and the number of atoms of each. In our case, this process yields a compound with one sulfur atom, two chlorine atoms, and one oxygen atom (SCl2O).