First we calculate the mass of carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen.
Mass of Carbon;<span>
Molar mass of CO</span>₂ is 44.009g/mol and molar mass of C = 12.011 g/mol
<span>Mass of Carbon in 14.08g CO2</span>₂ = 12.011/44.009 x 14.08 = 3.84
<span>
Mass Hydrogen;
Molar mass H</span>₂O is 18.0015g/mol and molar mass of H is 1.008and H₂ = 2.016
<span>Mass Hydrogen in 4.32g of H</span>₂O = 2.016/18.0015 x 4.32 = 0.48
<span>
<span>Mass of Oxygen
= total mas of tartaric acid – (mass of carbon + mass of hydrogen) = 12.01 -
(3.84+0.48) = 7.69</span>
Now divide carbon, hydrogen and oxygen through
their respective atomic masses: </span>
<span>C = 3.84/12.011 = 0.32
<span>H = 0.48/1.008 = 0.48
<span>O = 7.69/15.999 = 0.48
Now divide by smallest: </span>
C = 0.32/0.32 = 1 </span>
H = 0.48/0.32 = 1.5
O = 0.48/0.32 = 1.5
multiply by 2 to get whole integers: </span>
C = 1 x 2 = 2
H= 1.5 x 2 = 3
<span>O= 1.5 x 2 = 3
<span>Thus, the Empirical formula of tartaric acid =
C</span></span>₂H₃O₃