Question

A compound is 40% carbon, 6.7% hydrogen, and 53.3% oxygen. What is the empirical formula?

Answer 1

Answer:

                           O        H        C

Moles in 100g  3.33   6.65    3.33

Ratio                  1.00   2.00    1.00

Possible empirical formula = $OH_{2}C$

Answer 2

Answer:

CH2O

Explanation:

Data obtained from the question include:

C = 40%

H = 6.7%

O = 53.3%

Divide by their molar mass

C = 40/12 = 3.33

H = 6.7/1 = 6.7

O = 53.3/16 = 3.33

Divide by the smallest

C = 3.33/3.33 = 1

H = 6.7/3.33 = 2

O = 3.33/3.33 = 1

The empirical formula is CH2O