Question

xample:
. An acid found in Tamarind on analysis
shows the following percentage
composition: 32 % Carbon; 4 %
Hydrogen; 64 % Oxygen. Find the
empirical formula of the compound.
​

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1:

% of carbon= 32

% of hydrogen= 4

% of oxygen= 64

Step 2:

Calculate the number of gram atoms/moles of each element

Formula: Gram atoms= percentage of element

                                       atomic mass of element

number of gram atoms of carbon= 32/12= 2.66

number of gram atoms of hydrogen= 4/1.008= 3.968

number of gram atoms of oxygen=  64/16= 4

Step 3:

Find the atomic ratio of elements

Atomic ratio= number of gram atoms of given element

                      smallest number of gram atoms obtained

Atomic ratio of Carbon: 2.66/2.66= 1

Atomic ratio of Hydrogen: 3.968/2.66=1.491 ~ 2

Atomic ratio of Oxygen: 4/2.66= 1.50 ~ 2

Step 4:

Write the atomic ratios as follows

C:H:O

1: 2 : 2

Empirical Formula: CH₂O₂