Answer:
The empirical formula is C3H4O4
Explanation:
Step 1: Data given
Suppose we have 100 grams of malonic acid
Malonic acid contains:
34.63 % C = 34.63 grams C
3.87 % H = 3.87 grams H
61.50 % O = 61.50 grams O
Molar mass of C = 12.01 g/mol
Molar mass of H = 1.01 g/mol
Molar mass of O = 16.00 g/mol
Step 2: Calculate moles
Moles = mass / molar mass
Moles C = 34.63 grams / 12.01 g/mol
Moles C = 2.883 moles
Moles H = 3.87 grams / 1.01 g/mol
Moles H = 3.83 moles
Moles O = 61.50 grams / 16.00 g/mol
Moles O = 3.844 moles
Step 3: Calculate mol ratio
We divide by the smallest amount of moles
C: 2.883 / 2.883 = 1
H: 3.83/ 2.883 = 1.33
O: 3.844 / 2.883 = 1.33
The empirical formula is C3H4O4
