Empirical Formula Calculation Using Experimental Data
What is an empirical formula?
An empirical formula is a compound's chemical formula that only specifies the ratios of the elements it contains and not the precise number or arrangement of atoms. This would be the compound's elements with the lowest whole number ratio.
Empirical Formula Calculation:
Given data from the experiment:
- Mass of evaporating dish and cover (A): 19.50 grams
- Mass of evaporating dish, cover and lead (B): 22.45 grams
- Mass of evaporating dish, cover and lead oxide product (C): 22.90 grams
Calculation process:
1. Mass of lead reacted (B-A):
22.45 grams - 19.50 grams = 2.95 grams
2. Number of moles of lead:
2.95 grams / 207.2 = 0.01 g/mol
3. Mass of lead oxide (C-A):
22.90 grams - 19.50 grams = 3.4 grams
4. Mass of oxygen in lead oxide:
3.4 grams - 2.95 grams = 0.45 grams
5. Number of moles of oxygen:
0.45 grams / 16 = 0.028 moles
Therefore, the empirical formula for the product is PbO.