In March of 2007 a number of pets were sickened or killed by pet food contaminated with the chemical melamine which is used in the manufacture of certain plastics. It is thought that the melamine was added to make a pet food additive appear to have more protein than it really did. Melamine is 28.57% C, 4.80% H, and 66.63% N by mass. What is melamine's empirical formula?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula is determined by converting the percentage composition to moles and finding the simplest whole number ratio. For melamine, the ratio is approximately 1:2:2 for C:H:N, leading to the empirical formula CH₂N₂.

In March of 2007 a Number of Pets Were Sickened