An organic compound containing C, H, O, and S is subjected to two analytical procedures. In the first procedure, a 9.33mg sample is burned which gives 19.50 mg of CO2 and 3.99 mg of H2O. In the second, a separate 11.05mg sample is fused with Na2O2 and the resulting sulfate is precipitated as BaSO4, which weighs 20.4mg after being washed and dried (Appropriate amounts of Na2O2 and a compound containing barium ion are added.) The amount of oxygen in the original sample is obtained by difference. Determine the empirical formula of this compound.
...I really have no idea how to get this started. So far I've just written out the equations:
CwHxOySz --> CO2 + H2O
9.33mg 19.5mg 3.99mg
CwHxOySz + Na2O2 --> BaSO4
11.05mg 20.4mg
I have two specific questions: Is the statement in parentheses significant, and what is the bolded statement implying? Other than that, any help to get this problem started would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.