The empirical formula of a compound containing 40.00% carbon, 6.67% hydrogen, and 53.33% oxygen by m

JAMB Chemistry 2023 52 views

The empirical formula of a compound containing 40.00% carbon, 6.67% hydrogen, and 53.33% oxygen by mass is

  1. CH₂O ✓
  2. C₂H₄O₂
  3. C₃H₆O₃
  4. C₄H₈O₄

Explanation

The empirical formula is CH₂O. Divide each percentage by atomic mass: C is 40÷12 = 3.33. H is 6.67÷1 = 6.67. O is 53.33÷16 = 3.33. Then divide by smallest: 1:2:1 ratio.

The other options are multiples of CH₂O. They show molecular formulas, not the simplest ratio.

Remember: Empirical formula shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms.

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