There are two valence electrons in a single atom of magnesium.
Answer: The empirical formula is
.
Explanation:
Mass of C = 1.71 g
Mass of H = 0.287 g
Step 1 : convert given masses into moles.
Moles of C = 
Moles of H = 
Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.
For C =
For H =
The ratio of C: H = 1: 2
Hence the empirical formula is
.