Question

What is the empirical formula of a substance that contains 5.28 g of c, 0.887 g of h, and 3.52 g of o?

Answer 1

Not sure but I think it is C2H4O

Answer 2

Answer:

C₂H₄O

Explanation:

Given data

• Mass of C: 5.28 g

• Mass of H: 0.887 g

• Mass of O: 3.52 g

The total mass of the compound is 5.28 g + 0.887 g + 3.52 g = 9.69 g

In order to determine the empirical formula of the compound, we must follow a series of steps.

Step 1: Determine the percent composition

C: (5.28g/9.69g) × 100% = 54.5%

H: (0.887g/9.69g) × 100% = 9.15%

O: (3.52g/9.69g) × 100% = 36.3%

Step 2: Divide each percentage by the atomic mass of the element

C: 54.5/12.0 = 4.54

H: 9.15/1.01 = 9.06

O: 36.3/16.0 = 2.27

Step 3: Divide all the numbers by the smallest one

C: 4.54/2.27 = 2

H: 9.06/2.27 ≈ 4

O: 2.27/2.27 = 1

The empirical formula is C₂H₄O.