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A pure substance is found to contain 53.7% fluorine and 46.3% xenon by mass. What is the empirical formula of this substance?

User MJJames
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1 Answer

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Answer: XF8

Step-by-step explanation:

Empirical Formular shows the simplest ratio of elements in a compound.

Xe = 46.3% F = 53.7%

Divide the percentage composition of each element by the atomic mass.

Xe = 46.3/ 131.3 F= 53.7/ 19

= 0.353( approx) = 2.826 (approx)

Divide through with the smallest of the answers gotten in previous step.

Xe = 0.353 / 0.353 F = 2.826/ 0.353

= 1 = 8.0

Empirical formular = XF8

User Xoog
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