Element | % composition | At. wt. | Relative no. of atoms | Simplest ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|
Al | 10.50 | 27 | 10.50/27 = 0.388 | 0.388/0.387 = 1 |
K | 15.1 | 39 | 15.1/39 = 0.387 | 0.388/0.387 = 1 |
S | 24.8 | 32 | 24.8/32 = 0.775 | 0.775/0.387 = 2 |
O | 100 – (10.50 + 15.1 + 24.8) = 49.6 | 16 | 49.6/16 = 3.1 | 3.1/0.387 = 8 |
Simplest ratio of whole numbers = Al : K : S : O = 1 : 1 : 2 : 8
Hence, empirical formula is AlKS2O8 or AlK(SO4)2