If a sample of phosphine contains .456 grams of P and .0440 grams of H. Calculate and write the compound empiracle formula.

Question

No additional details

Answer 1

1st calculate the number of moles of each element in the sample:

(1 n P/31.0 g P) 0.456 g P = 0.0147 n P

(1 n H/1.01 g H)0.0440 h H = 0.0436  H

 

Next, divide each by the smallest number of moles:

0.0147/0.0147 = 1

0.0436/0.0147 = 2.96 = 3

 

Thus, PH₃