Question

Determine the empirical formula that contains c, h and o. It contains 52.14% C and 34.73% O by mass.

Answer 1

Empirical formula is C₂H₆O

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data:

Percentage of hydrogen =100 - 86.87% = 13.13%

Percentage of carbon = 52.14%

Percentage of oxygen = 34.73%

Empirical formula = ?

Solution:

Number of gram atoms of H = 13.13 / 1.01 = 13

Number of gram atoms of O = 34.73 / 16 = 2.17

Number of gram atoms of C = 52.14 / 12 = 4.345

Atomic ratio:

C : H : O

4.345/2.17 : 13/2.17 : 2.17/2.17

2 : 6 : 1

C : H : O = 2 : 6 : 1

Empirical formula is C₂H₆O.