Answer:
C3H6O
Explanation:
The percentage composition of the elements in the compound are given as follows:
62.1 % carbon = 62.1g of C
10.5 % hydrogen = 10.5g of H
27.6 % oxygen = 27.6g of O
Next, we convert each mass to mole by dividing by their molar/atomic mass
C = 62.1/12 = 5.175mol
H = 10.5/1 = 10.5mol
O = 27.6/16 = 1.725mol
Next, we divide each mole value by the smallest mole value (1.725)
C = 5.175mol ÷ 1.725 = 3
H = 10.5mol ÷ 1.725 = 6.086
O = 1.725mol ÷ 1.725 = 1
The empirical ratio approximately of C:H:O is 3:6:1, hence, the empirical formula is C3H6O
