A 0.4987-g sample of a compound known to contain only carbon,hydrogen,and oxygen was burned in oxygen to yield 0.9267 g of CO₂ and 0.1897 g of H₂O.What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula is determined by calculating the moles of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the compound. From the given data, the moles of carbon and hydrogen can be calculated from the masses of CO2 and H2O produced. The remaining mass is attributed to oxygen. The mole ratio of C:H:O is approximately 3:3:2, leading to the empirical formula C3H3O2.

A 04987-G Sample of a Compound Known to Contain Only Carbon,hydrogen,and