Answer:
FeS3O
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the empirical formula of a compound, we need to determine the mass of each element in the compound and express the ratio of these masses as the simplest whole number ratio.
First, we need to convert the given volume of each element to mass. At STP (standard temperature and pressure), 1 liter of a gas has a mass of 22.4 grams. Thus, the mass of iron in the compound is 1.17 liters * 22.4 grams/liter = 26.3 grams, the mass of sulfur is 1.17 liters * 22.4 grams/liter = 26.3 grams, and the mass of oxygen is 3.51 liters * 22.4 grams/liter = 78.8 grams.
Next, we need to express the mass of each element as a ratio to the total mass of the compound. The total mass of the compound is 26.3 grams + 26.3 grams + 78.8 grams = 131.4 grams. The mass ratio of iron to total mass is 26.3 grams / 131.4 grams = 0.20, the mass ratio of sulfur to total mass is 26.3 grams / 131.4 grams = 0.20, and the mass ratio of oxygen to total mass is 78.8 grams / 131.4 grams = 0.60.
Finally, we need to express these mass ratios as the simplest whole number ratio. Dividing each ratio by the smallest ratio (0.20), we get 1.00 for iron, 1.00 for sulfur, and 3.00 for oxygen. Thus, the empirical formula of the compound is FeS3O.