A compound contains 40% calcium, 12% carbon, and 48% oxygen by mass. What is the empirical formula of this compound?

Question

Mathematics

Stacy Gomez

29 May, 16:52

A compound contains 40% calcium, 12% carbon, and 48% oxygen by mass. What is the empirical formula of this compound?

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Answers (1)

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Nevaeh Lam · Answer 1

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Step-by-step explanation:

Explanation:

Although you have not been provided with direct masses, you can use the percentage composition values in place of masses.

First, calculate the number of moles of each element:

This is the formula for the ionic compound calcium carbonate, confirming that our result is indeed in the magnitude of a plausible answer. In fact, given the fact that calcium carbonate is ionic, it is also true that this empirical formula equates to the unit formula of the compound.