Determine the number of atoms of each element in an empirical formula of a compound with the following composition:67.09% carbon 10.56% hydrogen, and 22.35% oxygen:

The empirical formula for the given compound is

Explanation:

We are given:

Percentage of C = 67.09 %

Percentage of H = 10.56 %

Percentage of O = 22.35 %

Let the mass of compound be 100 g. So, percentages given are taken as mass.

Mass of C = 67.09 g

Mass of H = 10.56 g

Mass of O = 22.35 g

To formulate the empirical formula, we need to follow some steps:

Moles of Carbon =

Moles of Hydrogen =

Moles of Oxygen =

For the mole ratio, we divide each value of the moles by the smallest number of moles calculated which is 1.40 moles.

For Carbon =

For Hydrogen =

For Oxygen =

Multiplying the mole ratio by '2' to make the mole ratios a whole number

Mole ratio of Carbon = (4 × 2) = 8

Mole ratio of Hydrogen= (7.5 × 2) = 15

Mole ratio of Oxygen = (1 × 2) = 2

The ratio of C : H : O = 8 : 15 : 2

In the compound, there are 8 atoms of carbon, 15 atoms of hydrogen and 2 atoms of oxygen

Hence, the empirical formula for the given compound is