Question

A compound is found to contain 64.80 % carbon, 13.62 % hydrogen, and 21.58 % oxygen by weight. To answer the questions, enter the elements in the order presented above. 1. What is the empirical formula for this compound

Answer 1

`C_(4)H_(10)O`

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello!

In this case, since the empirical formula of compounds whose by-mass compositions are known, is computed by first computing the moles considering those compositions as actual masses:

`n_C=(64.82g)/(12.01g/mol)=5.40mol\\\\n_H=(13.62g)/(1.01g/mol)=13.5mol\\\\n_O=(21.58g)/(16g/mol)=1.35mol`

Next, we divide each moles by the fewest ones, in this case those of oxygen to obtain the subscript in the empirical formula:

`C=(5.40)/(1.35)= 4\\\\H=(13.5)/(1.35)=10\\\\O=(1.35)/(1.35)=1`

Thus, we obtain:

`C_(4)H_(10)O`

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