What is the empirical formula of a compound that is 24.42 % calcium, 17.07 % nitrogen, and 58.5% oxygen?

Explanation:

When calculating an empirical formula from percentages, assume you have a 100g sample. This allows you to convert the percentages directly to grams, because X % of 100g is X grams.

So:

24.42 % = 24.42 g Ca, 17.07% = 17.07g N, 58.5% = 58.5g O

The next step is to divide each mass by their molar mass to convert your grams to moles.

24.42/40.08 = 0.6092 mol

17.07/14.01 = 1.218 mol

58.85/15.99 = 3.680 mol

Then you will divide all of your mol values by the SMALLEST number of moles. This gives you whole numbers that are the mole ratio (subcripts) of the empircal formula.

0.6092 mol/0.6092 mol = 1

1.218 mol/0.6092 mol = 2

3.680 mol/0.6092 mol = 6

So the empirical formula is

2h2o2--> 2h2o + o2

this reaction is of the spontaneous decomposition of hydrogen peroxide down into water and oxygen.

add 2 molecules of hydrogen peroxide and 2 molecules of water. since oxygen is naturally diatomic, the total number of atoms of each element is now the same on both sides of the equation so it is balanced.

this may not be entirely correct but let me know.

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