What is the empirical formula of this compound help?

[Larrytsai]

A hydrated substance was found to have the following percentage composition= Na 18.53%
S= 25.87%
O= 10.34%
H2O= 62.9%
What is the empirical formula of this compound?


what i got was Na2S2O3 - 5H2O
but I am confused cause Na and S are both 0.806 mols

 

[MichaelXY]

Perhaps, if you showed your work you might get more answers.

 

[vaazu]

10.34/16 < 18.53/23 and 25.87/32, but you have more O atoms in your formula than Na and S. How is that? I got Na5S5O4*22H2O, but that's probably not right.

 

[Larrytsai]

umm hmm i assumed 100 grams and then converted to mols

 

[MichaelXY]

Use this cool poem.

Percent to mass
Mass to mole
Divide by small
Multiply 'til whole
Poem by "Joel S. Thompson"

 

[Gannon]

Use this cool poem.

Percent to mass
Mass to mole
Divide by small
Multiply 'til whole
Poem by "Joel S. Thompson"

That's pretty neat! I'll have to remember that.