4 g of metallic chloride contains 1.89 g of metal X
∴ 100 g of metallic chloride contains 1.89\over4 × 100 = 47.25 g of metal X
∴ % of Cl in the metallic chloride = 100 – 47.25 = 52.75%.
Element | % composition | At. wt. | Relative no. of atoms | Simplest ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|
X | 47.25 | 64 | 47.25/64 = 0.738 | 0.738/0.738 = 1 |
Cl | 52.75 | 35.5 | 52.75/35 = 1.48 | 1.48/0.738 = 2 |
X : Cl = 1 : 2
Hence, empirical formula is XCl2