What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 40 percent carbon, 6.7 percent hydrogen, and 53.3 percent oxygen by mass?

Question

Chemistry

Carly Mullen

5 April, 13:09

What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 40 percent carbon, 6.7 percent hydrogen, and 53.3 percent oxygen by mass?

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Answers (1)

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Trinity Mayo · Answer 1

40.0 g C * 1 mol C / 12.0 g C = 3.333 mol C

6.7 g H * 1 mol H / 1.008 g H = 6.6 mol H

53.3 g O * 1 mol / 16.0 g O = 3.331 mol O

divide by the least moles

3.333 mol C / 3.331 = 1

6.6 mol H / 3.331 = 1.98 ~ 2

3.331 mol O / 3.331 = 1

empirical formula is H2CO