Empirical Formula Chemistry Example 3

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Example 3

medium
A compound is 72.0%72.0\% Mg and 28.0%28.0\% N. Find the empirical formula.

Solution

  1. 1
    Moles: Mg = 72.024.31=2.96\frac{72.0}{24.31} = 2.96, N = 28.014.01=2.00\frac{28.0}{14.01} = 2.00.
  2. 2
    Ratio: 2.962.00=1.48≈32\frac{2.96}{2.00} = 1.48 \approx \frac{3}{2}. Multiply by 2: Mg = 3, N = 2. Formula: Mg3N2\text{Mg}_3\text{N}_2.

Answer

Mg3N2\text{Mg}_3\text{N}_2
When ratios are not close to whole numbers, multiply all by the smallest integer that gives whole numbers (here, multiply by 2).

About Empirical Formula

The chemical formula that shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound, obtained by dividing all subscripts by their.

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Example 4 medium

A compound is [formula] carbon, [formula] hydrogen, and [formula] oxygen by mass. What is its empiri

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