The empirical formula is C₂H₆O.
We must calculate the masses of C, H, and O from the masses given.
Mass of C =38.20 g CO₂ × (12.01 g C/44.01 g CO₂) = 10.424 g C
Mass of H = 23.48 g H₂O × (2.016 g H/18.02 g H₂O) = 2.6268 g H
Mass of O = Mass of compound - Mass of C - Mass of H
= (20.00 – 10.424 – 2.6268) g = 6.9487 g
Now, we must convert these masses to moles and find their ratios.
From here on, I like to summarize the calculations in a table.
Element Mass/g Moles Ratio Integers
C 10.424 0.8680 1.999 2
H 2.6268 2.606 6.001 6
O 6.9487 0.4343 1 1
The empirical formula is C₂H₆O.