Answer:
ZnC4H10
Explanation:
The empirical formula of a compound refers to the formula that gives the simplest whole number ratio of each atoms of the elements in the compound.
The empirical formula is calculated thus:
The given percentages in the question represent the mass in grams of each element in the compound.
Zinc= 53%, C= 38.9%, H= 8.1% which represents 53g, 38.9g and 8.1g of each element respectively.
Molar Mass of Zn= 65.4 g/mol
Molar Mass of C= 12 g/mol
Molar Mass of H= 1 g/mol
Step 1: Divide the mass of each element by the molar mass given to convert to moles:
Zn= 53/65.4 = 0.81moles
C= 38.9/12 = 3.24moles
H= 8.1/1 = 8.1moles
Step 2: Divide each mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated, which is 0.81moles:
Zn= 0.81/0.81 = 1
C= 3.24/0.81 = 4
H= 8.1/0.81= 10
This is the mole ratio represented in the subscript of each element in the empirical formula:
That is, Zn (1) C (4) H (10)
Empirical formula= ZnC4H10
