What is the empirical formula of a compound composed of 34.3 g of potassium (K) and

7.02 gof oxygen (O) ?

Empirical formula is K₂O

Explanation:

These are the elements and their mass, from the compound

34.3 g of K

7.02 g of O

We determine the moles:

34.3 g / 39.1 g/mol = 0.877

7.02 g / 16g/mol = 0.434

We divide the moles, by the lowest value:

0.877 / 0.434 = 2 mol of K

0.434 / 0.434 = 1 mol of O

Empirical formula is K₂O

The empirical formula is K2O

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Mass of potassium (K) = 34.3 grams

Mass of oxygen (O) = 7.02 grams

Molar mass of K = 39.1 g/mol

Molar mass of O = 16.0 g/mol

Step 2: Calculate moles

Moles = mass / molar mass

Moles K = 34.3 grams / 39.1 g/mol

Moles K = 0.877 moles

Moles O = 7.02 grams / 16.0 g/mol

Moles O = 0.439 moles

Step 3: Calculate the empirical formula

We divide by the smallest amount of moles

K: 0.877 moles / 0.439 moles = 2

O: 0.439 moles / 0.439 moles = 1

This means for each mol oxygen we have 2 moles of potassium

The empirical formula is K2O