A compound is 52.14% C, 13.13% H, and 34.73% O by mass. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Give the compound a mass of 100 grams, so that the mass of each element is

C=52.14% of 100g = 52.14g

H=13.13g

O=34.73g

convert the mass to moles

divide the mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated

round to nearest whole number, this is the mole ratio / subscripts

C=52.14% of 100g = 52.14g

H=13.13g

O=34.73g