What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 40% carbon, 6.7% hydrogen, and 53.3% oxygen?

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Answer 1 · 2015-10-21T13:38:31

#CH_2O#

To find the ratio in moles you divide by the #A_r# of each element.

Using approximate values:

Ratio in grams #C:H:OrArr#

#40:6.7:53.3#

Ratio in moles #rArr#

#40/12:6.7/1:53.3/16rArr#

#3.33:6.7:3.33#

Dividing through by #3.33rArr#

#1:2:1#

So the empirical formula is:

#CH_2O#