Final answer:
The empirical formula of benzamide, based on its percent composition, is C5H7N, with an empirical formula mass of 81.13 g/mol formula unit.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is regarding the determination of the empirical formula of a compound, specifically benzamide, based on its percent composition. To find the empirical formula, first, we calculate the molar ratios of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen in the compound using their percent composition and atomic masses. When we do this calculation for benzamide, we find that the C-to-N and H-to-N molar ratios are close to whole numbers. As a result, the empirical formula is deduced to be C5H7N. The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in the compound. The empirical formula mass of benzamide is found to be 81.13 amu/formula unit, or 81.13 g/mol formula unit. Determining the empirical formula is a fundamental step in empirical analysis and is crucial for further quantitative chemical analysis.