One mole of an unknown compound has 36.04g of carbon and 6.04g of hydrogen. What is the compound's empirical formula?

The answer is: the compound's empirical formula is CH₂.

m (C) = 36.04 g; mass of carbon.

M (C) = 12.01 g/mol; molar mass of carbon.

n (C) = m (C) : M (C).

n (C) = 36.04 g : 12.01 g/mol.

n (C) = 3 mol; amount of carbon.

m (H) = 6.04 g; mass of hydrogen.

n (H) = 6.04 g : 1.007 g/mol.

n (H) = 6 mol; amount of hydrogen.

n (C) : n (H) = 3 mol : 6 mol.

n (C) : n (H) = 1 mol : 2 mol.