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A compound contains 42.8% carbon, 14.3% hydrogen, and 42.9% oxygen by mass. Determine its empirical formula.

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To determine the empirical formula, we need to find the mole ratio of the elements in the compound. We will do this by converting the mass percentages to moles and then finding the simplest whole number ratio.1. Convert mass percentages to grams  assuming 100g of the compound :Carbon  C : 42.8gHydrogen  H : 14.3gOxygen  O : 42.9g2. Convert grams to moles using the molar mass of each element:Carbon: 42.8g / 12.01g/mol  molar mass of C  = 3.57 molHydrogen: 14.3g / 1.01g/mol  molar mass of H  = 14.16 molOxygen: 42.9g / 16.00g/mol  molar mass of O  = 2.68 mol3. Divide each mole value by the smallest mole value to find the mole ratio:Carbon: 3.57 mol / 2.68 mol = 1.33Hydrogen: 14.16 mol / 2.68 mol = 5.28Oxygen: 2.68 mol / 2.68 mol = 14. Round the mole ratios to the nearest whole number:Carbon: 1.33  1Hydrogen: 5.28  5Oxygen: 15. Write the empirical formula using the whole number mole ratios:CHO or CHOThe empirical formula of the compound is CHO.

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