Question

What is the empirical formula for a substance that is composed of 40.66% carbon, 8.53% Hydrogen,23.72% Nitrogen, and 27.09% Oxygen?

Answer 1

THE EMPIRICAL FORMULA OF THE SUBSTANCE IS C2H5NO

Step-by-step explanation:

The steps involved in calculating the empirical formula of this substance in shown in the table below:

Element Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Oxygen

1. % Composition 40.66 8.53 23.72 27.09

2. Mole ratio =

%mass/ atomic mass 40.66/12 8.53/1 23.72/14 27.09/16

= 3.3883 8.53 1,6943 1.6931

3. Divide by smallest

value (0.6931) 3.3883/1.6931 8.53/1.6931 1.6943/1.6931 1.6931/1.6931

= 2.001 5.038 1.0007 1

4. Whole number ratio 2 5 1 1

The empirical formula = C2H5NO