White phosphorus,P₄,spontaneously bursts into flame in oxygen.If 6.500 g of white phosphorus reacts with oxygen to form 11.54 g of a phosphorus oxide,what is the empirical formula of this oxide?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula of the phosphorus oxide is P2O3. This is because the ratio of phosphorus to oxygen atoms in the oxide is 2:3. This can be determined by dividing the mass of phosphorus by the atomic mass of phosphorus (31.0 g/mol) and dividing the mass of oxygen by the atomic mass of oxygen (16.0 g/mol). The resulting ratio is 2:3.

White Phosphorus,P4,spontaneously Bursts into Flame in Oxygen

White Phosphorus,P₄,spontaneously Bursts into Flame in Oxygen