What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 27.0% s

Empirical formula of the compound = SOCl₂

Explanation:

QUESTION:What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 27.0% S, 13.4% O, and 59.6% Cl by mass?

The empirical formula of a compound is its simplest formula. It tells us

* The component element present in a molecule of the compound.

* The ratio  in which these elements are combined together, i.e mole ratio.

To calculate the empirical formula of a compound that contains 27.0% S, 13.4% O, and 59.6% Cl by mass. ( Relative atomic mass of S=32gmol⁻¹, 0=16gmol⁻¹, Cl=35.5gmol⁻¹)

                                           Sulphure S,  Oxygen O, Chlorine Cl

percentage by mass:            27.0%                  13.4%            59.6%

Step 1:

Divide by their relative

atomic mass:                     27.0/32.0      13.4/16.0         59.6/35.5    

⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒                  0.844            0.838            1.679

Step 2:

Divide by the

smallest mole ratio:       0.844/0.838   0.838/0.838  1.679/0.838

∴                                            1              :         1           :       2.

from the analysis above, the compound contains Sulphur, Oxygen and Chlorine in the ratio of 1:1:2.

∴ Empirical formula of the compound = SOCl₂

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