what is the empirical formula for a compound which contains 67.1% zinc and the rest is oxygen

Answer 1

To determine the empirical formula, we need to find the ratio of zinc to oxygen atoms in the compound.

1. Suppose we have 100 grams of the compound.
- 67.1% of 100 grams is 67.1 grams of zinc.
- The remaining mass (100 grams - 67.1 grams) is 32.9 grams of oxygen.

2. Convert the masses to moles.
- The molar mass of zinc (Zn) is 65.38 g/mol.
- The molar mass of oxygen (O) is 16.00 g/mol.

- Moles of zinc: 67.1 g / 65.38 g/mol ≈ 1.025 mol
- Moles of oxygen: 32.9 g / 16.00 g/mol ≈ 2.056 mol

3. Divide the number of moles by the smallest value to find the simplest whole-number ratio.
- Zinc: 1.025 mol / 1.025 mol ≈ 1 mol
- Oxygen: 2.056 mol / 1.025 mol ≈ 2 mol

Thus, the empirical formula for the compound is ZnO.