PDA

View Full Version : How do you calculate the Empirical formula from % abundance?


s3a
09-07-2009, 02:07 PM
"Cisplatin, an anticancer drug, has the following percent composition.

Pt: 65.02%
H: 2.02%
N: 9.34%
Cl: 23.63%

Calculate its empirical formula."

The answer is: PtN2H6Cl2

I just have no idea how to do this.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Sonic
09-08-2009, 11:57 AM
Divide each of the percentages by the relative atomic mass (found in the Periodic table).

You can then divide these numbers by the smallest number obtained which gives you the ratio of atoms which is the empiricial formula