Question

Please help!!!

A molecule contains 47.30 g mercury (Hg) and 16.70 g chlorine (Cl). What is its empirical formula?

Answer 1

Option B. HgCl2

Step-by-step explanation:

Data obtained from the question include:

Mass of Mercury (Hg) = 47.3g

Mass of chlorine (Cl) = 16.7g

The empirical formula for the compound can be achieved by doing the following:

Step 1:

Divide by their individual molar mass

Hg = 47.3/201 = 0.235

Cl = 16.7/35.5 = 0.470

Step 2:

Divide by the smallest to express in whole number:

Hg = 0.235/0.235 = 1

Cl = 0.470/0.235 = 2

Therefore, the empirical formula is HgCl2