Element | % composition | At. wt. | Relative no. of atoms | Simplest ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cu | 25.50 | 64 | 25.50/64 = 0.398 | 0.398/0.398 = 1 |
S | 12.90 | 32 | 12.90/32 = 0.403 | 0.403/0.398 = 1.01 = 1 |
O | 25.60 | 16 | 25.60/16 = 1.6 | 1.6/0.398 = 4.020 = 4 |
H2O | 100 – (25.50 + 12.90 + 25.60) = 36 | 18 | 36/18 = 2 | 2/0.398 = 5.025 = 5 |
Hence, Simplest ratio of whole numbers = Cu : S : O : H2O = 1 : 1 : 4 : 5
Hence, empirical formula is CuSO4.5H2O