The compound K2O2 also exists. A chemist can determine the mass of K in a sample of known mass that consists of either pure K2O or pure K2O2. From this information, can the chemist answer the question of which compound is in the sample? Indicate yes or no, and explain.

Question

Zoe Odonnell

Chemistry

23 September, 11:10

The compound K2O2 also exists. A chemist can determine the mass of K in a sample of known mass that consists of either pure K2O or pure K2O2. From this information, can the chemist answer the question of which compound is in the sample? Indicate yes or no, and explain.

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Answers (1)

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Tatiana Dalton · Answer 1

Yes, she can, because she can determine the empirical formula.

Explanation:

The empirical formula of K₂O₂ is KO, and the empirical formula of K₂O is K₂O.

The chemist, once determined the mass of K in a sample of known mass, can calculate the mass of O by difference.

Once she has both masses she can determine the number of moles, using the atomic mass of each element.

Once she has the number of moles, she can determine the ratio of K moles to O moles, which tells the subscripts of the empirical formula.

Then, she will know whether the compound is KO (K₂O₂) or K₂O.