Question

In a given compound, the mass of sulfur (S) is 40.05 g and the mass of oxygen (O) is 59.95 g. What is

the empirical formula of the compound

Answer 1

`SO_3`

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello there!

In this case, according to the definition of the empirical formula as the smallest representation of the molecular formula of a chemical compound; for us to determine it, we first need to calculate the moles of sulfur in 40.05 g and those of oxygen in 59.95 g as shown below:

`n_S=(40.05g)/(32.07g/mol)= 1.25molS\\\\n_O=(59.95g)/(16.00g/mol)=3.75molO`

Now, we perform the following mole ratios to figure out the subscripts in the empirical formula, by dividing over the fewest number of moles:

`S=(1.25)/(1.25)=1 \\\\O=(3.75)/(1.25)=3`

Therefore, the empirical formula turns out:

`SO_3`

Best regards!