Answer:
CH₂
Step-by-step explanation:
Given parameters:
Percentage composition:
Carbon = 40.1%
Hydrogen = 6.6%
Unknown:
Empirical formula of the compound = ?
Solution:
The empirical formula of a substance is its simplest formula.
Elements Carbon Hydrogen
Percentage
Composition 40.1 6.6
Molecular mass 12 1
Number of moles 40.1/12 6.6/1
3.342 6.6
Divide through by
the smallest 3.342/3.342 6.6/3.342
1 2
So the empirical formula of the compound is CH₂