A sample of a compound contains 3.21 g of sulfur and 11.4 g of fluorine. Which of the following represents the empirical formula of the compound?

(A) SF2 (B) SF3 (C) SF4 (D) SF5 (E) SF6

The empirical formula is SF6 (option E)

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Mass of sulfur = 3.21 grams

Mass of fluorine = 11.4 grams

Molar mass sulfur = 32.065 g/mol

Molar mass fluorine = 19.00 g/mol

Step 2: Calculate moles

Moles = mass / molar mass

Moles sulfur = 3.21 grams / 32.065 g/mol

Moles sulfur = 0.100 moles

Moles fluorine = 11.4 grams / 19.00 g/mol

Moles fluorine = 0.600 moles

Step 3: Calculate mol ratio

We divide by the smallest amount of moles

S: 0.100 / 0.100 = 1

F : 0.600 / 0.100 = 6

The empirical formula is SF6 (option E)