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