Why is relative no. of atoms of moles = percentage of that element in compound/atomic mass?? How??
Like given in pic!
Dear Student,
For finding empirical formula we need to find relative no. of atoms which can be obtained by percentage of that element in compound/atomic mass. A example i want to show you like your example
Empirical formula can be calculated from the % composition
For ex.,
A compound is found to contain 65.44% C, 5.49% H and 29.07% O .What is its empirical formula.
Thus the empirical formula is C3H3O
For finding empirical formula we need to find relative no. of atoms which can be obtained by percentage of that element in compound/atomic mass. A example i want to show you like your example
Empirical formula can be calculated from the % composition
For ex.,
A compound is found to contain 65.44% C, 5.49% H and 29.07% O .What is its empirical formula.
| Element | % | At mass | % / at mass | Simple ratio | Whole no ratio |
| C | 65.44 | 12 | 65.44 / 12 = 5.45 | 5.45 / 1.82 = 2.99 | 3 |
| H | 5.49 | 1 | 5.49 / 1 = 5.49 | 5.49 / 1.82 = 3.02 | 3 |
| O | 29.07 | 16 | 29.07 / 16 = 1.82 | 1.82 / 1.82 = 1 | 1 |
Thus the empirical formula is C3H3O