Determine an Empirical Formula Flashcards

All 3 cards in this deck

How do you find the ratio of atoms for an empirical formula from reacting masses?

Divide the mass of each element by its relative atomic mass, then turn the answers into the simplest whole-number ratio.

In the magnesium oxide experiment, why is the crucible lid lifted only briefly during heating?

To let oxygen in while stopping white magnesium oxide smoke from escaping.

True or false? If some white smoke escapes from the crucible, the measured mass of oxygen gained is too low.

True. Magnesium oxide is lost, so the final mass is too small.