Question

When hafnium metal is heated in an atmosphere of chlorine gas, the product of the reaction is found to contain 62.2 percent Hf by mass and 37.4 percent Cl by mass. What is the empirical formula for this compound?

Answer 1

HfCl3

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1

Divide the percent by mass of each element by its relative atomic mass

Hf- 62.2/178.5, Cl-37.4/35.5

0.348, 1.054

Step2

Divide through by the lowest ratio

0.348/0.348, 1.054/0.348

1, 3

Therefore the empirical formula is HfCl3