Question

64 gm of a compound contains 24 gm of carbon, 8 gm of hydrogen and the rest oxygen. Determine the empirical formula of the compound.

Answer 1

Wt. of C = 24 g

Wt. of H = 8g

Wt. of O = 64 - 32 = 32 g

Moles of C : Moles of H : Moles of O

\(\frac{24}{12} : \frac 81: \frac{32}{16}\)

or 2 : 8 : 2 moles

or 2 : 8 : 2 atoms

or 1 : 4 : 1 atoms 

Empirical formula of the compound = CH₄O