Potash is used in the production of crystal glass. What is the simplest chemical formula of potash

Potash is used in the production of crystal glass. What is the simplest chemical formula of potash if the mass fraction of potassium in it is -56.6%; carbon-8.7%; oxygen-34.8%.

1. Let’s calculate the mass of elements in the substance.

Let us take the mass of the substance as 100%, and find the mass of each element in the substance.

a) Calculate the mass of potassium:

100g -100%

x g (K) – 56.6%,

hence m (K) = (56.6% x 100g): 100% = 56.6 g.

b) Calculate the mass of carbon:

100 g – 100%,

x g (C) – 8.7%,

x (C) = (8.7 x 100 g): 100% = 8.7 g.

c) Calculate the mass of oxygen:

100g – 100%,

x g (O) – 34.8%,

x (O) = (34.8% x 100 g): 100% = 34.8 g.

2.Calculate the ratio of the elements to the substance (the mass of the element is divided by the atomic mass):

K: C: O = (56.6: 39): (8.7: 12): (34.8: 16) = 1.45: 0.725: 2.175 = 2: 1: 3.

(We divide the smallest number by itself, and divide the large numbers by the smallest: the ratio of elements is 2: 1: 3).

The formula for potash – potassium carbonate – K2CO3.