Q. A compound of magnesium contains $21.9\%$ magnesium, $27.8\%$ phosphorus and $50.3\%$ oxygen. What will be the simplest formula of the compound?
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
Solution:
Element
Percentage
Molar ratio
Relative ratio
Whole no. ratio
Mg
21.9
21.9/24=0.91
1
2
P
27.8
27.8/31=0.90
1
2
O
50.3
27.8/31=0.90
3.48
7
Formula of the compound $= Mg_{2}P_{2}O_{7}$
| Element | Percentage | Molar ratio | Relative ratio | Whole no. ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mg | 21.9 | 21.9/24=0.91 | 1 | 2 |
| P | 27.8 | 27.8/31=0.90 | 1 | 2 |
| O | 50.3 | 27.8/31=0.90 | 3.48 | 7 |