Answer: Empirical formula is
Explanation: We are given the masses of elements present in a sample of compound. To evaluate empirical formula, we will be following some steps.
<u>Step 1 :</u> Converting each of the given masses into their moles by dividing them by Molar masses.
Molar mass of Carbon = 12.0 g/mol
Molar mass of Hydrogen = 1.0 g/mol
Molar mass of Oxygen = 16.0 g/mol
Moles of Carbon =
Moles of Hydrogen =
Moles of Oxygen =
<u>Step 2: </u>Dividing each mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated above and rounding it off to the nearest whole number value
Smallest number of moles = 13.76 moles
<u>Step 3:</u> Now, the moles ratio of the elements are represented by the subscripts in the empirical formula
Empirical formula becomes =