The elemental composition of a compound is determined to be 39.5% oxygen, 32.1% chromium and 28.4% sodium by weight. a. Determine the empirical formula for this compound
b. What is the molecular formula? Write out the name of the compound. How can you be sure you have identified the correct molecular formula?
c. Determine the molar mass of the compound.

Explanation:

To calculate percent composition, we divide the experimentally derived mass of each element by the overall mass of the compound, and then convert to a percentage:

​%C=

​12.04g compound

​

​7.34g C

​​ ×100%=61.0%

​%H=

​12.04g compound

​

​1.85g H

​​ ×100%=15.4%

​%N=

​12.04g compound

​

​2.85g N

​​ ×100%=23.7%

​​  

The analysis results indicate that the compound is 61.0% C, 15.4% H, and 23.7% N by mass.