Question

An analysis of a sugar compound is found to contain 132 grams of carbon (C), 22 grams of hydrogen (H), and 176 grams of oxygen (O). Determine the empirical formula of the compound.

Answer 1

132 g of C  ,   22 g of H   , 176 g of O

132 + 22 + 176 => 330 g of the substance

Now convert the masses in moles :

C = 12.0 u        H = 1.0 u       O = 16.0 u

C = 132 / 12.0 => 11 moles

H = 22 / 1.0 => 22 moles

O = 176 / 16.0 => 11 moles

Using the values obtained the lowest proportion in mols of elements present, simply divide the values found for the least of them:

C = 11 / 11 => 1

H = 22 / 11 => 2

O = 11 / 11 => 1

 formula empirically is : CH₂O

hope this helps!