Question

Monosodium glutamate, known as MSG, is sometimes added to food to enhance flavor. Analysis determined this compound to be 35.5% C, 4.77% H, 8.29% N, 13.6% Na, and 37.9% O. What is its empirical formula? (Enter your answer using the format CO2 for CO2.)

Answer 1

assume 100g , then percents become grams of each. divide by molar mass to get moles of each.

carbon
35.5 / 12 = 2.9 mol
hydrogen
4.77 / 1 = 4.77 mol
nitrogen
8.29 / 14 = 0.59 mol
sodium
13.6 / 23 = 0.59 mol

now divide all by the smallest mol (0.59) to get the number of each in the empirical formula.

carbon
2.9 / 0.59 = 4.9
hydrogen
4.77 / 0.59 = 8
nitrogen
0.59 / 0.59 = 1
sodium
0.59 / 0.59 = 1

empirical formula = C5H8NNa