Question
An Organic compound contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Its elemental analysis gave C, 38.71% and H, 9.67%. The empirical formula of the compound would be
-
CH3O
-
CH2O
-
CHO
-
CH4O
Solution
A.
CH3O
| Element | % | At. wt | Relative no. of atoms | Simplest ratio of atoms |
| C | 38.71 | 12 | 3.23 | 3.23/3.23 = 1 |
| H | 9.67 | 1 | 9.67 | 9.67/3.23 = 3 |
| O | 51.62 | 16 | 3.23 | 3.23/3.23 |
Hence empirical formula is CH3O.
