Question

A compound contains 36.48% Na, 25.41% S, and 38.11% O. Find its empirical formula. A) NaSO3 B) Na2SO4 C) Na2S2O5 D) NaSO4

Answer 1

A) Na2SO3

Explanation:

See the attached worksheet. The goal is to determine the numbers of each element and then take their ratio to find an empirical formula. We can do this by assuming a mass of the compound (1,000 g, for instance) and then calculating the grams of each element, followed by the number of atoms of that element. Then take the ratio of the numbers of atoms to find the empirical formula.

They are found to be in the ratio of 2 Na/1 S/3 O, for a formula of Na2SO3