Question

The percent composition of artificial snow is 38.3 % C, 3.22 %H, 24.4 % Na, and the remainder is oxygen. Determine the empirical formula for artificial snow.

Answer 1

C₃H₃NaO₂

Step-by-step explanation:

The percentage composition of the artificial snow is given.

The smallest whole number ratio of the atoms in a compound gives the empirical formula.

To find the empirical formula of the artificial snow, we use the method below;

Percentage composition of oxygen = 100 - (38.3+3.33+ 24.4) = 33.97

Elements C H Na O

Percentage

Composition 38.3 3.22 24.4 33.97

Number of

moles 38.3/12 3.22/1 24.4/23 33.97/16

3.19 3.22 1.06 2.12

Divide by

the smallest 3.19/1.06 3.22/1.06 1.06/1.06 2.12/1.06

3 3 1 2

The empirical formula of the compound is C₃H₃NaO₂