How many phosphorus atoms are present in a #25.0*g# mass of #"phosphorus pentoxide"#?

1 Answer
anor277
Oct 18, 2016

#"0.352 moles of phosphorus atoms are present in this quantity."#

Explanation:

Number of moles of #P_2O_5# #=# #(25.0*g)/(141.95*g*mol^-1)# #=# #0.176*mol#, with respect to #P_2O_5#.

There are thus #2xx0.176*mol# of #"phosphorus"#.

#P_2O_5# is an empirical formula. The actual molecule is #P_4O_10#, which is an extremely hygroscopic white powder. Do the different formulations make a difference to the number of phosphorus atoms present?

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