Question

The elemental mass percent composition of ascorbic acid (vitamin C ) is 40.92% C , 4.58% H , and 54.50% O . Determine the empirical formula of ascorbic acid.

Answer 1

The empirical formula of ascorbic acid is C6H8O6.

Empirical formula

To calculate the empirical mass of a compound from the mass percentage of each element, the value of the molar mass of each element is used, which in this case corresponds to:

                                              $MM_C= 12g/mol\\MM_H=1g/mol\\MM_O=16g/mol$

From this, we consider that the compound has 100 grams, so the number of moles of each element will be equal to:

                                                   $C = \frac{40.92}{12} = 3.41 \\H = \frac{4.58}{1}=4.58\\ O =\frac{54.50}{16}=3.41$

Now, divide all the values ​​found by the smallest value, to find the amount present in each element:

                                            $C = \frac{3.41}{3.41} = 1\\ H = \frac{4.58}{3.41} = 1.34\\O = \frac{3.41}{3.41} = 1$

As you can see, the value of moles of hydrogen resulted in a decimal number, so it is necessary to multiply all values ​​​​by a number in common until the three meet as integers:

                                          $C = 1 \times 6 = 6\\H = 1.34 \times 6 = 8\\O = 6 \times 6 = 6$

So, the empirical formula of ascorbic acid is C6H8O6.

Learn more about empirical and molecular formula in: brainly.com/question/11588623