Respuesta :
Answer: The empirical formula is [tex]SeO_2[/tex].
Explanation:
So, the mass of each element is given:
Mass of Se = 1.443 g
Mass of O = 0.5848 g
Step 1 : convert given masses into moles.
Moles of Se=[tex]\frac{\text{ given mass of Se}}{\text{ molar mass of Se}}= \frac{1.443g}{79g/mole}=0.018moles[/tex]
Moles of O = [tex]\frac{\text{ given mass of O}}{\text{ molar mass of O}}= \frac{0.5848g}{16g/mole}=0.036moles[/tex]
Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.
For Se = [tex]\frac{0.018}{0.018}=1[/tex]
For O =[tex]\frac{0.036}{0.018}=2[/tex]
The ratio of Se: O = 1: 2
Hence the empirical formula is [tex]SeO_2[/tex].
