Question

The molar mass of element X is 42.3 grams per mol and the molar mass for

element Y is Y 96.7 grams per mol. What is the empirical formula for a substance
containing a mass composition of 52.2% X and the remainder Y?

Answer 1

X5Y2

Step-by-step explanation:

% composition of X = 52.2%

% composition of Y = (100 - 52.2) = 47.8%

This means that there are 52.2g of X and 47.8g of Y in the compound

To calculate the empirical formula of the compound, we first convert the gram value to mole value by dividing by their molar masses.

X = 52.2g/42.3g/mol = 1.234mol

Y = 47.8g/96.7g/mol = 0.494mol

Next, we divide each mole value by the smallest value (0.494mol)

X = 1.234mol ÷ 0.494mol = 2.49

Y = 0.494mol ÷ 0.494mol = 1

We multiply each value by 2

X = 2.49 × 2 = 4.98

Y = 1 × 2 = 2

The simple ratio of X:Y is 5:2, hence, their empirical formula is X5Y2.