So by dividing both mole
values by the smaller one we deduced:
O
2.5
1.409
3.523
and
P
1
1.409
1.409
=
=
This yields
the formula PO2.5
A
white compound is analyzed and found to contain
43.64%
phosphorous and 56.36% oxygen by mass.
Is this an
acceptable empirical formula?
Empirical
Formula Example 1