Question

A compound contains 39.0% potassium, 1.01% hydrogen, 12.0% carbon and 47.9% oxygen. Find its empirical formula

Answer 1

Empirical formula is KHO₃C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data:

Percentage of potassium = 39.0%

Percentage of hydrogen = 1.01%

Percentage of carbon = 12.0%

Percentage of oxygen = 47.9%

Empirical formula = ?

Solution:

Number of gram atoms of K = 39.0/ 39 = 1

Number of gram atoms of H = 1.01 / 1.01 = 1

Number of gram atoms of O = 47.9 / 16 = 3

Number of gram atoms of C = 12 / 12 = 1

Atomic ratio:

K : H : O : C

1/1 : 1/1 : 3/1 ; 1/1

1 : 1 : 3 : 1

K : H : O :C = 1: 1 : 3 : 1

Empirical formula is KHO₃C.