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Question

A hydrated salt contains Cu = 25.50%, S = 12.90%, O = 25.60% and the remaining % is water of crystallization. Calculate the empirical formula of the salt. [Cu = 64, S = 32, O = 16, H = 1]

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Answer

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

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