Answer:
EF = Br₂O₅
Explanation:
The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.
The ratio of atoms is the same as the ratio of moles.
So, our job is to calculate the molar ratio of Br to O.
Data:
Mass of Br = 1.650 g
Mass of BrₓOy = 2.476 g
Calculations
1. Calculate the mass of O
Mass of O = 2.476 g - 1.650 g = 0.826 g
2. Calculate the moles of each element
[tex]\text{Moles of Br} = \text{1.650 g Br} \times \dfrac{\text{1 mol Br}}{\text{79.90 g Br}} = \text{0.020 65 mol Br}\\\text{Moles of O} = \text{0.826 g O} \times \dfrac{\text{1 mol O}}{\text{16.00 g O }} = \text{0.051 62 mol O}[/tex]
3. Calculate the molar ratio of the elements
Divide each number by the smallest number of moles
Br:O = 0.020 65:0.051 62 = 1:2.500 ≈ 2:5
4. Write the empirical formula
EF = Br₂O₅
We can't calculate the molecular formula from the information given. It could be Br₂O₅, Br₄O₁₀, or any other multiple of Br₂O₅.
