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Experiment for Empirical Formula

Chemistry: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 5.1.23

Experiment for Calculating Empirical Formula

We can devise experiments to calculate the mass of elements that make up a compound.

Steps

Steps

  • Measure the mass of the solid that is going to be reacted (e.g. magnesium ribbon).
  • React the solid with the oxygen in the air by heating.
  • Find out the mass of the product (magnesium oxide).
  • Calculate the mass of oxygen gained (final mass - initial mass).
  • Use the mass of magnesium and oxygen to calculate the empirical formula.
Example

Example

  • Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide.
  • 1.2g + mass of oxygen → 2.0g (data collected from practical).
  • 1.2g + 0.8g → 2.0g (mass of oxygen can be calculated).
Empirical formula

Empirical formula

  • Calculate empirical formula, as shown in the image.

Test yourself on Experiment for Empirical Formula

  • Empirical Formula Experiment

  • If 4g of magnesium is reacted with oxygen to form magnesium oxide weighing 6g, what is the mass of oxygen added?

  • Which of these do we not need to measure in the empirical mass experiment?

  • Which of these needs to be calculated in the empirical mass experiment?

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