A compound is found to contain 26.73 % phosphorus, 12.09 % nitrogen, and 61.18 % chlorine by mass. What is the empirical formula for this compound

Explanation:

Hello!

In this case, when determining empirical formulas by knowing the by-mass percent, we first must assume the percentages as masses so we can compute the moles of each element:

Now, for the determination of the subscript of each element in the empirical formula, we divide the moles by the fewest moles (P or N):

Thus, the empirical formula is:

Regards!