Question

1. the next two parts are connected. answer each of the following.

a. a compound is made of 3.7% hydrogen, 38.5% oxygen, and 57.8% carbon. what is the empirical formula for this compound?

symbol	percentage	percent as mass	divide by small	round or multiply	subscripts
o	38.5%	$\frac{38.5}{16.00}=2.40$	$\frac{2.40}{2.40}=1.00$
c	57.8%	$\frac{57.8}{12.01}=4.81$	$\frac{4.81}{2.40}=2.00$

answer =

Explanation:

Step1: Scale ratios to whole numbers

Since H has a ratio of 1.52 (close to 1.5), multiply all ratios by 2 to eliminate decimals:

• H: $1.52 \times 2 \approx 3$
• O: $1.00 \times 2 = 2$
• C: $2.00 \times 2 = 4$

Step2: Assign subscripts

Use the whole-number ratios as subscripts for each element.

Answer:

$\text{C}_4\text{H}_3\text{O}_2$