Analysis of a sample of an oxide of irons finds that there are 87.47 g of iron and 12.53 g of oxygen present. determine the empirical formula of the compound. what is iron's subscript in the empirical formula?

Empirical formula:

Fe₂O

Subscript of iron in empirical formula is 2.

Explanation:

Empirical formula:

It is the simplest formula  that gives the smallest whole number ratio between the atoms of elements present in a compound.

Given data:

Mass of iron = 87.47 g

Mass of oxygen = 12.53 g

Empirical formula = ?

Solution:

Number of gram atoms of iron = 87.47 /55.845 =1.57 grams atoms

Number of gram atoms of oxygen = 12.53 / 16 = 0.78 grams atoms

Atomic ratio:

Fe                   :          O

1.57/0.78        :       0.78/0.78  

     2               :              1                    

Fe : O = 2  :  1

Empirical formula:

Fe₂O

Subscript of iron in empirical formula is 2.