Answer:
[tex]SO_3[/tex]
Explanation:
Hello there!
In this case, according to the definition of the empirical formula as the smallest representation of the molecular formula of a chemical compound; for us to determine it, we first need to calculate the moles of sulfur in 40.05 g and those of oxygen in 59.95 g as shown below:
[tex]n_S=\frac{40.05g}{32.07g/mol}= 1.25molS\\\\n_O=\frac{59.95g}{16.00g/mol}=3.75molO[/tex]
Now, we perform the following mole ratios to figure out the subscripts in the empirical formula, by dividing over the fewest number of moles:
[tex]S=\frac{1.25}{1.25}=1 \\\\O=\frac{3.75}{1.25}=3[/tex]
Therefore, the empirical formula turns out:
[tex]SO_3[/tex]
Best regards!
