General Chemistry question please help!?

What is the empirical formula for 54.53% C, 9.15% H, and 36.32%O by mass.

CHO (please add subscripts or superscripts)

The molecular mass of the compound is 132 amu. What is the molecular formula?

2 Answers

  • C = 54.53/12.011 = 4.5400

    H = 9.15/1.008 = 9.0774

    O = 36.32/15.999 = 2.2701

    Divide by smallest:

    C = 2.0

    H = 4.0

    O = 1

    Empirical formula = C2H4O

    Molar mass C2H4O = 12.011*2 +1.008*4 +15.999 = 44.053

    132/44 = 3

    Molecular formula = (C2H4O)3 = C6H12O3

  • 0.5453 = 12*C/132 gives C = 6

    0.0915 = 1*H/132 gives H = 12

    0.3632 = 16*O/132 gives O = 3

    as subscripts

    C6H12O3

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