Answer: The empirical formula is [tex]H_4P_2O_7[/tex]
Explanation:
If percentage are given then we are taking total mass is 100 grams.
So, the mass of each element is equal to the percentage given.
Mass of H= 2.270 g
Mass of P = 34.80 g
Mass of O = 62.93 g
Step 1 : convert given masses into moles
Moles of H = [tex]\frac{\text {given mass}}{\text {Molar mass}}=\frac{2.270g}{1g/mol}=2.270[/tex]
Moles of P = [tex]\frac{\text {given mass}}{\text {Molar mass}}=\frac{34.80g}{31g/mol}=1.122[/tex]
Moles of O =
[tex]\frac{\text {given mass}}{\text {Molar mass}}=\frac{62.93g}{16g/mol}=3.933[/tex]
Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.
For H = [tex]\frac{2.270}{1.122}=2[/tex]
For P= [tex]\frac{1.122}{1.122}=1[/tex]
For O =
[tex]\frac{3.933}{1.122}=3.5[/tex]
The simples ratio will be = H: P : O= 4: 2: 7
Hence the empirical formula is [tex]H_4P_2O_7[/tex]