1. Assume a 100g Sample

This makes the percentages directly translate to grams:

* 53.73 g Fe

* 46.27 g S

2. Convert Grams to Moles

Divide the mass of each element by its molar mass:

* Fe: 53.73 g / 55.845 g/mol = 0.962 mol Fe

* S: 46.27 g / 32.065 g/mol = 1.443 mol S

3. Find the Mole Ratio

Divide each mole value by the smallest mole value:

* Fe: 0.962 mol / 0.962 mol = 1

* S: 1.443 mol / 0.962 mol = 1.5

Since we need whole numbers for the empirical formula, multiply both by 2:

* Fe: 1 * 2 = 2

* S: 1.5 * 2 = 3

4. Write the Empirical Formula

The empirical formula is Fe₂S₃.