Question

g A laboratory analysis of an unknown compound found the following composition: C 75.68% ; H 8.80% ; O 15.52%. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Answer 1

Answer:

THE EMPIRICAL FORMULA FOR THE UNKNOWN COMPOUND IS C7H9O

Explanation:

The empirical formula for the unknown compound can be obtained by following the processes below:

1 . Write out the percentage composition of the individual elements in the compound

C = 75.68 %

H = 8.80 %

O = 15.52 %

2. Divide the percentage composition by the atomic masses of the elements

C = 75 .68 / 12 = 6.3066

H = 8.80 / 1 = 8.8000

O = 15.52 / 16 = 0.9700

3. Divide the individual results by the lowest values

C = 6.3066 / 0.9700 = 6.5016

H = 8.8000 / 0.9700 = 9.0722

O = 0.9700 / 0.9700 = 1

4. Round up the values to the whole number

C = 7

H = 9

O = 1

5 Write out the empirical formula for the compound

C7H90

In conclusion, the empirical formula for the unknown compound is therefore C7H9O