QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 40 percent carbon, 6.7 percent hydrogen, and 53.3 percent oxygen?
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Answer
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Step 1: Determine the number of moles of each element in the compound.
Moles of oxygen: $$
m = frac{m}{M} = frac{53.3 g}{16.00 g/mol} = 3.33 mol
To find the empirical formula, we first need to determine the number of moles of each element in the compound. We are given the percent composition of the compound. First, convert the percentages to mass in grams for a 100 -gram sample of the compound. Now, convert the mass of each element to moles using the molar masses of carbon (12.01 g/mol), hydrogen (1.01 g/mol), and oxygen (16.00 g/mol).
Step 2: Find the simplest whole-number ratio of moles for each element.
Oxygen: $$frac{3.33 mol}{3.33 mol} = 1
To find the empirical formula, divide each of the calculated mole values by the smallest number of moles calculated in Step 1 (which is for carbon, with 3.33 moles).
Final Answer
The empirical formula is CH^2O.
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