Answer:
The empirical formule is CO
Explanation:
Step 1: Data given
Suppose the mass of a compound is 100 grams
Suppose the compound contains:
42.88 % C = 42.88 grams C
57.12 % O = 57.12 grams O
Molar mass C = 12.01 g/mol
Molar mass O = 16.0 g/mol
Step 2: Calculate moles
Moles = mass / molar mass
Moles C = mass C / molar mass C
Moles C = 42.88 grams / 12.01 g/mol
Moles C = 3.57 moles
Moles O = 57.12 grams / 16.0 g/mol
Moles O = 3.57 moles
Step 3: Calculate the mol ratio
We divide by the smallest amount of moles
C: 3.57 moles / 3.57 moles = 1
O: 3.57 moles / 3.57 moles = 1
The empirical formule is CO
