Divide the percentages by the relative atomic mass (RAM) to get the relative number of atoms. Multiply by appropriate numbers to get whole numbers of atoms.
Na : 29/23 = 1.261
S : 41/32 = 1.281
O : 30/16 = 1.875
Now divide by 1.27 (average of 1.26 and 1.28)
Na : 1
S : 1
O : 1.48
Multiply by 2 to get whole numbers
Na : 2
S : 2
O 3
So the formula is
Na2S2O3
The chemical name is sodium thiosulphate. It is used in the titration with iodine, fixation of photographs in the 'wet' darkroom, and many other uses.
What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 29% Na, 41% S, and 30% O by mass?
1 answer
1 answer