A compound contains 64.3% carbon, 7.14% Hydrogen, and 28.6% Oxygen. What is the empirical formula for this substance? Оа
C₂H₂O
Oь
C9H₂O2
Ос
C₂H₂O
Od
CHO

Empirical formula is C₃H₄O

Explanation:

Empirical formula:

It is the simplest formula gives the ratio of atoms of different elements in small whole number .

Given data:

Percentage of hydrogen = 7.14%

Percentage of carbon = 64.3%

Percentage of oxygen = 28.6%

Empirical formula = ?

Solution:

Number of gram atoms of H = 7.14 / 1.01 = 7.1

Number of gram atoms of O = 28.6 / 16 = 1.8

Number of gram atoms of C = 64.3 / 12 = 5.4

Atomic ratio:

            C                  :         H            :         O

         5.4/1.8             :      7.1/1.8       :       1.8/1.8

            3                   :        4            :        1

C : H : O = 3 : 4 : 1

Empirical formula is C₃H₄O.