A molecule is found to contain 47.35% C,10.60% H,and 42.05% O by mass.Determine the empirical formula for this molecule.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the empirical formula, convert the percentages to grams (assuming 100g total), then to moles: C: 47.35g/12.01g/mol = 3.94 mol, H: 10.60g/1.01g/mol = 10.50 mol, O: 42.05g/16.00g/mol = 2.63 mol. Divide by the smallest number of moles (2.63) to get the ratio: C: 1.5, H: 4, O: 1. Multiply by 2 to get whole numbers: C: 3, H: 8, O: 2, giving the empirical formula C₃H₈O₂.

A Molecule Is Found to Contain 47