A hydrated metal chloride contains 27.8% metal and 48.5% halogen by weight.Specific heat of metal (M) is 0.67 `jg^(-1)` . What is the valency of the metal?

Explanation

Specific heat of M =0.67 `jg^(-1)` =0.16cal `g^(-1)`
Atomic mass of M = 6.4/0.16=40
Relative number of M atoms `=(27.8)/(40)=0.695`
Relative number of Cl atoms `=(48.5)/(35.5)=1.37`
Ratio of number of atoms, of M and C =0.695 :1.37=1:2
Formula of metal chloride is `MCl_(2)`
Valency of metal is 2