Answer:
C₂H₄O
Step-by-step explanation:
Given data
The total mass of the compound is 5.28 g + 0.887 g + 3.52 g = 9.69 g
In order to determine the empirical formula of the compound, we must follow a series of steps.
Step 1: Determine the percent composition
C: (5.28g/9.69g) × 100% = 54.5%
H: (0.887g/9.69g) × 100% = 9.15%
O: (3.52g/9.69g) × 100% = 36.3%
Step 2: Divide each percentage by the atomic mass of the element
C: 54.5/12.0 = 4.54
H: 9.15/1.01 = 9.06
O: 36.3/16.0 = 2.27
Step 3: Divide all the numbers by the smallest one
C: 4.54/2.27 = 2
H: 9.06/2.27 ≈ 4
O: 2.27/2.27 = 1
The empirical formula is C₂H₄O.