Chapter 3, Problem 3.39P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The name, empirical formula, and molar mass of the compound given in figure P3.39 are to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Molar mass is defined as the mass of $1\text{ mol}$ of a chemical substance in grams. The molar mass of a compound is calculated by the addition of the molar mass of each element multiplied by its number of atoms present in the chemical formula.

An empirical formula gives the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound.

Following are the steps to calculate the empirical formula of a compound.

Step 1: Determine the number of atoms of each element from the given formula.

Step 2: Divide the atom numbers of each element by a common factor to obtain the lowest whole number values. Write the lowest whole number value as the subscript of the element’s symbol to obtain the empirical formula for the compound.

The nomenclature rules to write the name of a binary covalent compound are as follows:

(1) Identify the group number of each element.

(2) The element of the lower group number is named first. Indicate the number of atoms of each element by using Greek numerical prefixes.