CdC₄H₆O₄
Explanation:
Given parameters:
Mass percentage of:
Cd = 48%
C= 20.8%
H = 2.62%
O = 27.8%
Unknown:
Empirical formula:
Solution:
The empirical formula of a compound is its simplest formula. It is on this that the actual molecular formula is based.
To find the empirical formula, follow the following steps.
Cd C H O
Mass
Percentage 48 20.8 2.62 27.8
Molar
mass 112.4 12 1 16
Number
of moles 48/112.4 20.8/12 2.62/1 27.8/16
0.43 1.73 2.62 1.73
Divide by
the smallest 0.43/0.43 1.73/0.43 2.62/0.43 1.73/0.43
1 4 6 4
Empirical formula = CdC₄H₆O₄
