Add subscripts as needed to form the empirical formula of a compound composed of 24.3 g potassium (K) and 4.97 g oxygen (O). The empirical formula is KO

Answer 1

Divide the given masses of each element by the element's atomic mass.

For K: 24.3 g / 39.1 g/mol = 0.62 moles

For O: 4.97 g O / 16 g/mol = 0.31 moles

Now, divide each of the molar amounts by the smallest result.

The result gives the subscripts for each element in the compound.

K₂O