Question & Answer » Chemistry Questions » An organic Compound Contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Its Elemental Analysis gave C, 38.71% and H, 9.67%. The Empirical formula of the Compound would be?

An organic Compound Contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Its Elemental Analysis gave C, 38.71% and H, 9.67%. The Empirical formula of the Compound would be?

Answer: Calculate the empirical formula as follows:

Element

% Composition

Atomic Mass

Mole Ratio

Simple Ratio

Carbon (C)

38.71

12

38×7112=3.22

3.223.22=1

Hydrogen (H)

9.67

1

9.679.67=1

9.67/3.22 = 3

Oxygen (O)

100-38.71+9.67 =51.62

16

51×6216=3.22

3.223.22=1

C=1, H=3, O =1 = CH3O. 

As a result, the compound’s empirical formula is CH3O.