Calculate the empirical formula for a compound containing 67.6% Hg 10.8% S 21.6% O

HgSO₄

Explanation:

% => g => moles => ratio => reduce => empirical ratio

%Hg = 67.6% => 67.6g/201g/mol = 0.34mol

%S    = 10.8% => 10.8g/32g/mol = 0.34mol

%O   = 21.6% => 21.6g/16g/mol = 1.35mol

Hg:S:O => 0.34:0.34:1.35

Reduce to whole number ratio by dividing by the smaller mole value...

Hg:S:O => 0.34/.34:0.34/.34:1.35/.34 => Empirical Ratio = 1:1:4

∴ Empirical Formula is HgSO₄

yes the answer is total mass in unchanged   : )