Asample of a compound is decomposed in the laboratory and produces 330 g carbon, 69.5 g hydrogen, and 220.2 g oxygen. calculate the empirical formula of the compound. what is the empircal formula

Empirical formula is

Explanation: We are given the masses of elements present in a sample of compound. To evaluate empirical formula, we will be following some steps.

Step 1 : Converting each of the given masses into their moles by dividing them by Molar masses.

Molar mass of Carbon = 12.0 g/mol

Molar mass of Hydrogen = 1.0 g/mol

Molar mass of Oxygen = 16.0 g/mol

Moles of Carbon =

Moles of Hydrogen =

Moles of Oxygen =

Step 2: Dividing each mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated above and rounding it off to the nearest whole number value

Smallest number of moles = 13.76 moles

Step 3: Now, the moles ratio of the elements are represented by the subscripts in the empirical formula

Empirical formula becomes =