Question

66.41 g of Copper [Cu] are combusted with 8.56g of Oxygen [O] to produce a

compound. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Answer 1

The empirical formula of the compound : Cu₂O

Further explanation

Given

66.41 g Cu

8.56 g O

Required

The empirical formula

Solution

1. Find mol

• Cu(Ar 63.5 g/mol)

mol = mass : Ar

mol = 66.41 : 63.5

mol = 1.046

• O(Ar=16 g/mol)

mol = 8.56 : 16

mol = 0.535

2. mol ratio

Cu : O (divide by smallest mol⇒0.535) :

`\tt (1.046)/(0.535)/ (0.535)/(0.535)=2/ 1`