Determine the empirical formula of a compound having the following percent composition by mass: K: 24.74%; Mn: 34.76%; O: 40.50%

The empirical formula of the compound is

Explanation:

The empirical formula is the chemical formula of the simplest ratio of the number of atoms of each element present in a compound.

The number of moles is defined as the ratio of the mass of a substance to its molar mass. The equation used is:

......(1)

Let the mass of the compound be 100 g

Given values:

% of K = 24.7%

% of Mn = 34.76%

% of O = 40.50%

Mass of K = 24.7 g

Mass of Mn = 34.76 g

Mass of O = 40.50 g

To calculate the empirical formula of a compound, few steps need to be followed:

We know:

Molar mass of K = 39.10 g/mol

Molar mass of Mn = 54.94 g/mol

Molar mass of O = 16 g/mol

Putting values in equation 1, we get:

The empirical formula of the compound becomes

Hence, the empirical formula of the compound is