An ionic compound is composed of the following elements: Nitrogen – 31.57% Hydrogen – 9.10% Phosphorus – 23.27% Oxygen – 36.06% What is the empirical formula for this compound?

N3H12PO3

Explanation:

Step 1:

Data obtained from the question.

Nitrogen (N) = 31.57%

Hydrogen (H) = 9.10%

Phosphorus (P) = 23.27%

Oxygen (O) = 36.06%

Step 2:

Divide by their molar masses.

This is illustrated below:

N = 31.57/14 = 2.255

H = 9.10/ 1 = 9.1

P = 23.27/31 = 0.751

O = 36.06/16 = 2.254

Step 3:

Divide by the smallest number. This is illustrated below:

N = 2.255/0.751 = 3

H = 9.1 /0.751 = 12

P = 0.751 /0.751 = 1

O = 2.254/0.751 = 3

The empirical formula is N3H12PO3

The empirical formula is: N3H12PO3

Explanation:

To calculate the empirical formula, the values of each element must first be taken in 100gr of the compound:

Then the grams of each element are divided by their atomic weight:

Then each data is divided by the smallest number that is that of Phosphorus:

And the data we use is put into a formula of the compound:

And its values are assigned: