The atomic weight of element X is 100 g/mol. 50 grams of X combines with 32.0 g of oxygen. What is the simplest formula for the resulting compound?

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Answer 1 · 2014-10-08T01:48:52

The simplest formula of the compound is XO₄.

Step 1. Determine the moles of each element

Moles of X = 50 g X × #"1 mol X"/"100 g X"# = 0.50 mol X

Moles of O = 32.0 g O × #"1 mol O"/"16.00 g O"# = 2.00 mol O

Step 2. Determine the Molar Ratios

#"Moles of X"/"Moles of O" = "0.50 mol"/"2.00 mol" = 1/4.0 ≈ 1/4#

Step 3. Write the Simplest Formula

The empirical formula of the oxide is XO₄.