A compound containing chromium and silicon contains 73.52 mass percent chromium. Determine its empirical formula. A)CrSi ₃ B)Cr ₂Si ₃ C)Cr ₃Si D)Cr ₃Si ₂ E)Cr ₂S

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the empirical formula, convert the mass percentages to moles. Assume 100 g of the compound: 73.52 g Cr and 26.48 g Si. Moles of Cr = 73.52 g / 51.996 g/mol = 1.414 mol. Moles of Si = 26.48 g / 28.085 g/mol = 0.943 mol. The simplest whole number ratio is Cr:Si = 1.5:1, which is closest to Cr3Si2.

A Compound Containing Chromium and Silicon Contains 73