An unknown organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen was analyzed and found to be 50.84% C, 8.53% H, and the rest oxygen. What is the empirical formula

In every 100g of that compund there is 50.84 g of C, 8.53 g H and (100-59.37) g = 40.63 g of O.

Step 1: Convert each element's mass in moles. To do that we need to divide each element's mass by their respective molar mass.

For Carbon.

For Hydrogen.

For Oxygen.

Step 2: Divide each of the numbers by the smallest number.

For Carbon.

For Hydrogen.

For Oxygen.

Step 3: So the empirical formula will be.

But using decimal will be messy. So we multiply the numbers by 3. The right empirical formula will be.