Step 1: Divide each percentage by the atomic mass of the element
C: 40.00/12.01 = 3.331
H: 6.67/1.01 = 6.60
O: 53.33/16.00 = 3.333
Step 2: Divide all the numbers by the smallest one
C: 3.331/3.331 = 1
H: 6.60/3.331 ≈ 2
O: 3.333/3.331 ≈ 1
The empirical formula is CH₂O, with a molecular weight of 12 g/mol + 2 × 1 g/mol + 16 g/mol = 30 g/mol. The molecular weight of the compound must be a product of 30, such as 60 (between 55 and 62 g/mol). Since we have to multiply by 2 (30 to 60) to get to the molecular weight of the compound, we also have to multiply the empirical formula by 2 to get the chemical formula of the compound.
