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Here's how to determine the empirical formula step-by-step:
1. Assume a 100g sample: This makes the percentages directly translate to grams. So, we have 21.2g N, 8.1g H, 24.3g S, and 48.4g O.
2. Convert grams to moles:
N: 21.2g / 14.01g/mol = 1.51 mol
H: 8.1g / 1.008g/mol = 8.03 mol
S: 24.3g / 32.06g/mol = 0.758 mol
O: 48.4g / 16.00g/mol = 3.02 mol
3. Divide by the smallest mole value: This gives us the mole ratio in the simplest whole-number form.
N: 1.51 mol / 0.758 mol = 2.00
H: 8.03 mol / 0.758 mol = 10.6
S: 0.758 mol / 0.758 mol = 1.00
O: 3.02 mol / 0.758 mol = 3.98
4. Round to the nearest whole number: This represents the subscripts in the empirical formula.
N: 2
H: 11
S: 1
O: 4
5. Write the empirical formula: N₂H₁₁SO₄