Answer to Question #71371 in Organic Chemistry for Melody

Question

If 1.500g of Vanadium metal reacts with oxygen gas to give 2.679g of Vanadium oxide, what is the empirical formula of the product?

Answer 1

Calculate moles of vanadium reacted:
n(V)=(m(V))/(A_r (V))=(1.500 g)/(50.942 g/mol)=0.02945 mol
Calculate mass of O in oxide:
m(O)=m(oxide)-m(V)=2.679 g-1.500 g=1.179 g
Calculate moles of O in oxide:
n(O)=(m(O))/(A_r (O))=(1.179 g)/(15.999 g/mol)=0.07369 mol
The ration of moles:
V:O=0.02945 mol:0.07369 mol=(0.02945 mol)/(0.02945 mol):(0.07369 mol)/(0.02945 mol)=1:2.5=2:5
The formula of oxide is V2O5.