CHEMISTRY ESSAY

To find the molecular formula we need to determine the Empirical Formula. We must find the
mass of each element in a particular sample. For each element, change from g to mol. These
mole values become first-try subscripts for the formula. To accomplish this, we can use molar
masses to convert the mass of each element to a number of moles. For example, in our problem
14.5g of phosphorus must be multiplied to 1 mol of phosphorus over the molar mass which is 31
g of phosphorus which is the result of 0.4677 mol of phosphorus (do the same for chlorine).
Now we divide each element’s subscript by the lowest subscript value. Therefore our empirical
formula is PCL5. Now we can use the empirical formula to find the molecular formula by
calculating the molar mass of the empirical formula. Divide the given molecular molar mass by
the molar mass calculated for the empirical formula. Multiply each subscript by the whole
number. Our molecular formula is still PCL5. In finding the limiting reagent you must convert
reactant to moles then divide by the coefficient and the reactant with the smaller number is the
limiting reagent.

In Balancing the equation, Phosphorus plus Chlorine Gas, yields Phosphorus Pentachloride
(PCl5), the first thing we do is write down the atoms. For the reactants (P + Cl2) and on the other
hand for the products of (PCl5). To balance it we are going to the Reactants (P + Cl2), and put a
5 in front of the Chlorine (P + 5 Cl2). It’s now going to be 2 Chlorine Atoms times 5 (Cl= 2 x 5
= 10). So we have now balanced the Chlorine Atoms. And for the Phosphorus we could put a 2
in front of the P in the reactants (2P) and now have a balanced equation of Phosphorus Atoms,
and an overall balanced equation of 2P + 5Cl2 — 2PCl5. Lastly, in finding theoretical yield you
need to check if your chemical equations are balanced then calculate the mole ratios of the
reactants and products. In equation form: Grams product = grams reactant x (1 mol
reactant/molar mass of reactant) x (mole ratio product/reactant) x (molar mass of product/1
mol product).