A compound is 54.53 % C , 9.15 % H , and 36.32 % O by mass. What is its empirical formula? Insert subscripts as needed.

Question

The molecular mass of the compound is  What is its molecular formula? Insert subscripts as needed.

Answer 1

Divide the percent mass by the atomic mall of each element to have 4.54 moles C to 9.08 moles H to 2.27 moles O. Divide these by the smallest to have the ratoi of 2 C to 4 H to 1 O. Thus the empirical formula is C2H4O. Multiply this by the mass of the elements with each subscript for a total of 44.02. Divide 132 by 44.02 to have 3 times the empirical formula for the moleular formula or C6H12O3.