Question

A compound is made of 36.36% C, 7.13% H, 56.51% O. What is its empirical formula?

Answer 1

Its empirical formula : C₅H₁₂O₆

Further explanation  

The empirical formula is the smallest comparison of atoms of compound forming elements.  

(empirical formula) n = molecular formula  

The principle of determining empirical formula and molecular formula  

• Determine the mass ratio of the constituent elements of the compound.  
• Determine the mole ratio by dividing the elemental mass with the relative atomic mass obtained by the empirical formula  

Ar C = 12 g/mol

Ar H = 1 g/mol

Ar O = 16 g/mol

mol ratio of C : H : O =

$\tt \dfrac{36.36}{12}\div \dfrac{7.13}{1}\div \dfrac{56.51}{16}\\\\3.03\div 7.13\div 3.53\rightarrow divided~by~smallest(3.03)\\\\1\div 2.4\div 1.2(\times 10)\rightarrow 5\div 12\div 6$