Question

What is the empirical formula for a substance that is composed of 40.66% carbon, 8.53% Hydrogen,23.72% Nitrogen, and 27.09% Oxygen?

Answer 1

Answer:

THE EMPIRICAL FORMULA OF THE SUBSTANCE IS C2H5NO

Explanation:

The steps involved in calculating the empirical formula of this substance in shown in the table below:

Element                            Carbon           Hydrogen          Nitrogen         Oxygen

1. % Composition              40.66              8.53                 23.72                27.09

2. Mole ratio =

%mass/ atomic mass       40.66/12         8.53/1          23.72/14            27.09/16

                                       =  3.3883            8.53              1,6943             1.6931

3. Divide by smallest

value (0.6931)          3.3883/1.6931    8.53/1.6931    1.6943/1.6931   1.6931/1.6931

                               =      2.001                  5.038           1.0007                      1

4. Whole number ratio        2                       5                   1                               1

The empirical formula = C2H5NO