A Compound is found to contain 37.47% carbon, 12.61% hydrogen, and 49.92 % oxygen by mass. What is the empirical formula for this compound?

CH₄O

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Mass percentage of:

Carbon = 37.47%

Hydrogen = 12.61%

Oxygen = 49.92%

Unknown:

Empirical formula of the compound = ?

Solution:

The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest ratio by which the atoms in a compound combines.

The actual formula of a compound is called the molecular formula.

To solve for the empirical formula, we follow this process;

Elements Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen

Mass

Percentage 37.47 12.61 49.92

Molar

mass 12 1 16

Number

of moles 37.47/12 12.61/1 49.92/16

3.12 12.61 3.12

Divide by

the smallest 3.12/3.12 12.61/3.12 3.12/3.12

1 4 1

Empirical formula = CH₄O