Question

A sample of an unknown compound was decomposed and found to be composed of 1.36 mol oxygen, 4.10 mol hydrogen, and 2.05 mol carbon. what is the empirical formula of the unknown compound? c3h6o2c2h4o c1.5h3o c2h3o

Answer 1

C3H6O2

Step-by-step explanation:

To properly access the empirical formula of the compound, we need to take into consideration the number of moles of the individual elements. Since the individual elements have their amounts in moles already, we can easily obtain the individual numbers by dividing by the smallest number of moles as follows:

H = 4.10/1.36 = 3

C = 2.05/1.36 = 1.50

O = 1.36/1.36 = 1

Now, since we have a decimal number for the carbon, we multiply through by 2 to obtain: C3H6O2