The percentage composition of sodium phosphate as determined by analysis is 42.1% sodium, 18.9% phosphorus and 39% oxygen.

Find the empirical formula of the compound (work to up to two decimal places). [Na = 23,P = 31,O = 16]

Question

The percentage composition of sodium phosphate as determined by analysis is 42.1% sodium, 18.9% phosphorus and 39% oxygen.

Find the empirical formula of the compound (work to up to two decimal places). [Na = 23,P = 31,O = 16]

Toppr Admin · Accepted Answer

ElementPercentage composition -xA0-Atomic weight -xA0-xA0-Relative No- of atoms -xA0-xA0-Simplest ratioSodium42-1 -xA0- -xA0-xA0-xA0- -xA0- 2342-1-23 - 1-83 -xA0-xA0-1-83-0-61 - 3Phosphorus18-9-xA0- -xA0- 3118-9-31 - 0-610-61-0-61 - 1Oxygen39-0-xA0- -xA0- 1639-0-16 - 2-442-44-0-61 - 4Thus empirical formula is Na3PO4-

The percentage composition of sodium phosphate as determined by analysis is 42.1% sodium, 18.9 % phosphorus and 39 % oxygen. Find the empirical formula of the compound[Na = 23, P = 31, O = 16].
$N a_{3} P O_{3}$
$N a P O_{4}$
$N a_{2} P O_{4}$
$N a_{3} P O_{4}$

Element Percentage composition Atomic weight Relative No. of atoms Simplest ratio
Sodium 42.1 23 42.1/23 = 1.83 1.83/0.61 = 3
Phosphorus 18.9 31 18.9/31 = 0.61 0.61/0.61 = 1
Oxygen 39.0 16 39.0/16 = 2.44 2.44/0.61 = 4
Thus empirical formula is $N a_{3} P O_{4}$ .

Element	Percentage composition	Atomic weight	Relative No. of atoms	Simplest ratio
Sodium	42.1	23	42.1/23 = 1.83	1.83/0.61 = 3
Phosphorus	18.9	31	18.9/31 = 0.61	0.61/0.61 = 1
Oxygen	39.0	16	39.0/16 = 2.44	2.44/0.61 = 4

The percentage composition of sodium phosphate as determined by analysis is 42.1% sodium, 18.9 % phosphorus and 39 % oxygen. Find the empirical formula of the compound[Na = 23, P = 31, O = 16].Na3PO3NaPO4Na2PO4Na3PO4

ElementPercentage composition Atomic weight Relative No. of atoms Simplest ratioSodium42.1 2342.1/23 = 1.83 1.83/0.61 = 3Phosphorus18.9 3118.9/31 = 0.610.61/0.61 = 1Oxygen39.0 1639.0/16 = 2.442.44/0.61 = 4Thus empirical formula is Na3PO4.

The percentage composition of sodium phosphate as determined by analysis is 42.1% sodium, 18.9 % phosphorus and 39 % oxygen. Find the empirical formula of the compound[Na = 23, P = 31, O = 16].
$N a_{3} P O_{3}$
$N a P O_{4}$
$N a_{2} P O_{4}$
$N a_{3} P O_{4}$

Element Percentage composition Atomic weight Relative No. of atoms Simplest ratio
Sodium 42.1 23 42.1/23 = 1.83 1.83/0.61 = 3
Phosphorus 18.9 31 18.9/31 = 0.61 0.61/0.61 = 1
Oxygen 39.0 16 39.0/16 = 2.44 2.44/0.61 = 4
Thus empirical formula is $N a_{3} P O_{4}$ .