Question

What is the empirical formula of an unknown compound that contains 60.3% of magnesium and 39.7% of oxygen?

Answer 1

Answer:- Empirical formula is MgO.

Solution:- From given information,

Mg = 60.3%

O = 39.7%

Percentages could be considered as their grams and to convert them to moles we divide by their atomic masses.

moles of Mg =
`60.3g(1mole)/(24.3g)` = 2.48 mole

moles of O =
`39.7g(1mole)/(16g)` = 2.48 moles

We have equal moles of Mg and O, it means the mole ratio is 1:1 and so the empirical formula is MgO.