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21 January, 08:37

Magnetite is a binary compound containing only iron and oxygen. The percent, by weight, of iron is 72.360 %. What is the empirical formula of magnetite?

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  1. 21 January, 09:00
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    Fe3O4

    Explanation:

    We can deduce the empirical formula from the percentage compositions.

    Since it contains only two atoms, the % composition of the oxygen is 100 - 72.36 = 27.64

    Now, we divide each by the relative atomic masses of each. The relative atomic mass of iron is 56 and that of oxygen is 16.

    Fe = 72.36/56 = 1.292

    O = 27.64/16 = 1.7275

    Now we divide by the smallest:

    Fe = 1.292/1.292 = 1

    O = 1.7275/1.292 = 1.33 = 4/3

    The ratio is thus 1:1.33 or 1:4/3

    Multiplying through by 3 will yield: 3:4

    The empirical formula is thus Fe3O4
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