Answer:
PCl₃
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the empirical formula of a compound, we need to follow a series of steps.
Step 1: Divide each percent composition by the atomic mass of the element
P: 22.6/30.97 = 0.729
Cl: 77.4/35.45 = 2.18
Step 2: Divide all the numbers by the smallest one, i.e. 0.729
P: 0.729/0.729 = 1
Cl: 2.18/0.729 ≈ 3
The empirical formula of the compound is PCl₃.