One mole of an unknown sample contains 120 g of carbon and 30.3 g of
hydrogen. What is the empirical formula of the compound? Show your work.

Respuesta :

atomic mass of carbon is C = 12 g/mol

atomic mass of hydrogen is H = 1 g/mol

now number of carbon atoms

[tex]N_c = \frac{120}{12} = 10[/tex]

Similarly the number of hydrogen atoms are

[tex]N_H = \frac{30.3}{1} = 30[/tex]

so Carbon atom and hydrogen atom must be in ratio of 10:30

so the ratio is 1:3

now the empirical formula is always in simplest form

[tex]CH_3[/tex]