Chapter 3.2, Problem 3.8AFP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The empirical formula of the compound that contains $\text{0}\text{.170 mol}$ of boron $\left(\text{B}\right)$ and $\text{0}\text{.255 mol}$ of oxygen $\left(\text{O}\right)$ is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

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

Following are the steps to determine the empirical formula of a compound when the moles/fractional amount of each element is given,

Step 1: Write the amount $\left(\text{mol}\right)$ of each element as the subscript of the element’s symbol to obtain a preliminary formula for the compound.

Step 2: Convert the moles of each element to the whole number subscripts. The steps for this math conversion are as follows:

(a) Each subscript is divided by the smallest subscript.

(b) If the whole number is not obtained after division, multiply the obtained subscripts by the smallest integer.