1.5g of sodium metal completely reacts with 0.4 of oxygen. Work out the empirical formula of sodium oxide.?

Question

1.5g of sodium metal completely reacts with 0.4 of oxygen. Work out the empirical formula of sodium oxide.?

Answer 1

find moles:

1.5 g Na @ 23 g/mol = 0.065 moles Na

0.4 g oxygen @ 16 g/mol = 0.025 moles of oxygen

find thge ratio of moles:

0.065 moles Na / 0.025 = 2.6 moles Na

0.025 mol oxygen/ 0.025 = 1 mol O

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doesn't look good, can I possibly interest you in 1.15 grams of Na instead:

1.15 g Na @ 23 g/mol = 0.050 moles Na

0.4 g oxygen @ 16 g/mol = 0.025 moles of oxygen

find thge ratio of moles:

0.050 moles Na / 0.025 = 2 moles Na

0.025 mol oxygen/ 0.025 = 1 mol O

your answer is : Na2O