Answer: The empirical formula is [tex]BrF_3[/tex]
Explanation:
If percentage are given then we are taking total mass is 100 grams.
So, the mass of each element is equal to the percentage given.
Mass of Br= 58.37 g
Mass of F = (100-58.37) = 41.63 g
Step 1 : convert given masses into moles.
Moles of Br=[tex]\frac{\text{ given mass of Br}}{\text{ molar mass of Br}}= \frac{58.37g}{80g/mole}=0.73moles[/tex]
Moles of F =[tex]\frac{\text{ given mass of H}}{\text{ molar mass of H}}= \frac{41.63g}{19g/mole}=2.2moles[/tex]
Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.
For Br = [tex]\frac{0.73}{0.73}=1[/tex]
For F = [tex]\frac{2.2}{0.7}=3[/tex]
The ratio of Br: F= 1 : 3
Hence the empirical formula is [tex]BrF_3[/tex]
