Answer:
The molecular formula of chyrsotile asbestos :[tex]Mg_6Si_4H_6O_{16}[/tex]
The empirical formula for chyrsotile asbestos :[tex]Mg_3Si_2H_3O_{8}[/tex]
Explanation:
The molar mass of chyrsotile = M= 520.8 g/mol.
Let the molecular formula of chyrsotile be [tex]Mg_wSi_xH_yO_z[/tex]
Percentage of Mg = 28.03%
Percentage of Si =21.60%
Percentage of H=1.16%
Percentage of O = 49.21%
Percentage of an element in a compound:
[tex]\frac{\text{Number of atoms of element}\times \text{Atomic mass of element}}{\text{molecular mass of element}}\times 100[/tex]
1) Magnesium atom with mass 24 g/mol.
[tex]28.03\%=\frac{w\times 24 g/mol}{520.8 g/mol}\times 100[/tex]
w = 6.0
2) Silicon atom with mass 28 g/mol.
[tex]21.60\%=\frac{x\times 28 g/mol}{520.8 g/mol}\times 100[/tex]
x = 4.0
3) Hydrogen atom with mass 1 g/mol.
[tex]1.16\%=\frac{y\times 1 g/mol}{520.8 g/mol}\times 100[/tex]
y = 6.0
4) Oxygen atom with mass 28 g/mol.
[tex]49.21\%=\frac{z\times 16 g/mol}{520.8 g/mol}\times 100[/tex]
z = 16.0
The molecular formula of chyrsotile asbestos :[tex]Mg_6Si_4H_6O_{16}[/tex]
Empirical is the lowest ratio of numbers of different atoms present in a compound.
The empirical formula for chyrsotile asbestos :[tex]Mg_3Si_2H_3O_{8}[/tex]
