Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A sample of an organic compound is burnt completely. It gives of carbon dioxide and of water. Find the per cent of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and the empirical formula.
and . Dumas: , with at STP in mL. Kjeldahl: . Carius: . Empirical formula: divide each per cent by the atomic mass, then by the smallest.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Carbon. .
Step 2. Hydrogen. .
Step 3. Oxygen. .
Step 4. Moles. , , .
Step 5. Ratio. Dividing by gives .
Answer: C, H, O. The empirical formula is .
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