Answer:
CH2O
Step-by-step explanation:
According to this question:
C = 2.04g
H = 0.34g
O = 2.73g
First, we divide the mass value of each element by its atomic mass to convert to moles.
C = 2.04g ÷ 12 = 0.17mol
H = 0.34g ÷ 1 = 0.34mol
O = 2.73g ÷ 16 = 0.17mol
Next, we divide by the smallest mole value (0.17):
C = 0.17mol = 0.17 = 1
H = 0.34mol ÷ 0.17 = 2
O = 0.17mol ÷ 0.17 = 1
The whole number ratio of C,H,O is 1:2:1, hence, the empirical formula is CH2O.