A compound is found to have a composition of 70.4% carbon and 29.6% hydrogen, by mass. what is the empirical formula for the compound?

Question

Trent Holmes

Chemistry

7 October, 23:46

A compound is found to have a composition of 70.4% carbon and 29.6% hydrogen, by mass. what is the empirical formula for the compound?

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Keegan Juarez · Answer 1

First you have to assume that 100 grams of the compound is present (70.4 grams carbon, 29.6 gram hydrogen). Next, you have to divide the two by their relative molecular masses (70.4/12 and 29.4/1) That leaves 5.8666666 ... and 29.4. Now divide the two of them by 5.8666666 ... (use exact value), which will give you 1 and 5 (rounded off). Therefore, the answer is CH5.