A uranium oxide compound is found to be 84.80% U by mass.What is the empirical formula for the compound?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the empirical formula, calculate the moles of U and O. Assume 100g of the compound: 84.80g U and 15.20g O. Moles of U = 84.80g / 238.03g/mol = 0.356 moles. Moles of O = 15.20g / 16.00g/mol = 0.950 moles. The mole ratio of U:O is approximately 3:8, giving the empirical formula U₃O₈.

A Uranium Oxide Compound Is Found to Be 84