A compound X contains 32% of A, 20% of B and remaining percentage of C. Then, the empirical formula of X is :
(Given atomic masses of A = 64; B = 40; C = 32 u)
Correct Answer :
ABC3
Solution :
The correct option is ABC3.
To find the empirical formula of compound X, we follow a step-by-step approach based on the percentage composition and atomic masses of the constituent elements A, B, and C.
Step 1: Determine the percentage of each element in the compound.
We are given:
Percentage of A = 32%
Percentage of B = 20%
The remaining percentage belongs to C. Since the total percentage must equal 100%:
Percentage of C = 100% - (Percentage of A + Percentage of B)
Percentage of C = 100% - (32% + 20%) = 100% - 52% = 48%
Step 2: Calculate the relative number of moles of each element.
To find the relative number of moles, we divide the percentage of each element by its respective atomic mass:
For A (Atomic mass = 64 u):
Relative moles of A =
For B (Atomic mass = 40 u):
Relative moles of B =
For C (Atomic mass = 32 u):
Relative moles of C =
Step 3: Find the simplest molar ratio.
Divide the relative number of moles of each element by the smallest value among them (which is 0.5):
Ratio of A =
Ratio of B =
Ratio of C =
Step 4: Write the empirical formula.
The simplest whole-number ratio of the elements A : B : C is 1 : 1 : 3. Therefore, the empirical formula of the compound X is A1B1C3, which is written as ABC3.
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