Question

a compound has a percent compostion of carbon equal to 48.8383%, hydrogen equal to 8.1636%, and oxygen equal to 43.1981%. what is the mepirical formula

Answer 1

C₂H₃O

Step-by-step explanation:

From the question given above, the following data were obtained:

Carbon (C) = 48.8383%

Hydrogen (H) = 8.1636%

Oxygen (O) = 43.1981%

Empirical formula =?

The empirical formula of the compound can be obtained as follow:

C = 48.8383%

H = 8.1636%

O = 43.1981%

Divide by their molar mass

C = 48.8383 / 12 = 4.07

H = 8.1636 / 1 = 8.1636

O = 43.1981 / 16 = 2.7

Divide by the smallest

C = 4.07 / 2.7 = 2

H = 8.1636 / 2.7 = 3

O = 2.7 /2.7 = 1

Thus, the empirical formula of the compound is C₂H₃O