The compound X2C is a very hard substance commonly used to coat metal cutting tools to make them sharper and more resilient. Carbon represents 3.2% of the compound. what is the element represented by X.
3.2%C
100-3.2 = 96.8%X
Convert to moles.
3.2/12 = about 0.266
96.8/X = must be about 2*0.266 for the formula to be X2C. If 96.8/X = 0.532, then X is 96.8/0.532 = about 182. Look on the periodic table and see what hard metal has an atomic mass of about 182 that combines to form C to form X2C and that is placed on cutting edges of tools.