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1 vote
What is the
empirical formula for a compound that is 36.1% Ca and 63.9% Cl?

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

CaCl

2

Explanation:

As with all these problems, we assume a

100

g

of compound, and divide through by the ATOMIC masses of each component element:

Moles of calcium

=

36.1

g

40.08

g

mol

1

=

0.901

mol

.

Moles of chlorine

=

63.9

g

35.45

g

mol

1

=

1.802 mol

.

We divide each molar quantity through by the smallest molar quantity (that of calcium) to give an empirical formula of

CaCl 2

.

For ionic materials, we do not speak of the molecular formula, and the empirical formula is the formula we quote for reference.

User Boehmi
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