Answer:
Fe3O4
Explanation:
We can deduce the empirical formula from the percentage compositions.
Since it contains only two atoms, the % composition of the oxygen is 100 - 72.36 = 27.64
Now, we divide each by the relative atomic masses of each. The relative atomic mass of iron is 56 and that of oxygen is 16.
Fe = 72.36/56 = 1.292
O = 27.64/16 = 1.7275
Now we divide by the smallest:
Fe = 1.292/1.292 = 1
O = 1.7275/1.292 = 1.33 = 4/3
The ratio is thus 1:1.33 or 1:4/3
Multiplying through by 3 will yield: 3:4
The empirical formula is thus Fe3O4
