Answer: The empirical formula is [tex]CaS[/tex]
Explanation:
If percentage are given then we are taking total mass is 100 grams.
So, the mass of each element is equal to the percentage given.
Mass of Ca= 55.6 g
Mass of S = 44.4 g
Step 1 : convert given masses into moles.
Moles of Ca =[tex]\frac{\text{ given mass of Ca}}{\text{ molar mass of Ca}}= \frac{55.6g}{40.08g/mole}=1.38moles[/tex]
Moles of S =[tex]\frac{\text{ given mass of S}}{\text{ molar mass of S}}= \frac{44.4g}{32.06g/mole}=1.38moles[/tex]
Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.
For Ca = [tex]\frac{1.38}{1.38}=1[/tex]
For S = [tex]\frac{1.38}{1.38}=1[/tex]
The ratio of Ca : S = 1:1
Hence the empirical formula is [tex]CaS[/tex]
