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A) Convert each mass to grams. B) Divide each molar amount by the ...

Top answer: B) Divide each molar amount by the smallest molar amount

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11y ago
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1mo ago
  1. Convert the mass percent composition to grams.
  2. Convert the grams to moles for each element.
  3. Divide each element's moles by the smallest number of moles to get the mole ratio.
  4. Write the empirical formula using the whole number ratio obtained.
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8y ago

- Calculate from the empirical formula the molar mass
- Write the atomic weight of the chemical elements contained
- From these data calculate the percent composition
Example: water, H2O
Hydrogen atomic weight: 1; H2 is 2
Oxygen atomic weight: 16
Molar mass is 18
Percentage of oxygen in water is: (16 x 1000/18 = 88,88 %

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7y ago

Based on % composition, one can determine the moles of each element in, say, 100 grams of compound. Then, one can see the mole ratio of all the elements in the compound, and adjust them so as to obtain whole numbers in the lowest possible ratio. This is then the empirical formula.

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12y ago

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Q: What steps should be used to determine the empirical formula of a compound from its mass percent composition?
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Which could represent the empirical and the formula of a given compound?

The empirical formula is representative for the chemical composition of a compound; the structural formula is representative for the spatial structure of the compound.


How is the Law of definite composition and proportion relate to the empirical formula?

The Law of Definite Composition states that a compound will always have the same proportion of elements by mass. This relates to the empirical formula because the empirical formula gives the simplest whole number ratio of the elements in a compound, which reflects the fixed composition of elements as per the Law of Definite Composition.


Choose the empirical formula?

To determine the empirical formula of a compound, you need the molar masses of its elements and their ratio in the compound. Calculate the ratio of the elements in terms of whole numbers, which will give you the empirical formula.


Can the empirical formula be used to calculate the percent composition of a compound?

Yes, the empirical formula can be used to determine the percent composition of a compound. The percent composition can be calculated by determining the molar mass of each element in the formula and then dividing the molar mass of each element by the molar mass of the whole compound, and finally multiplying by 100 to get the percent composition.


Nicotine has the formula CxHyNz To determine its composition a sample is burned in excess oxygen producing the following results?

The compound would need to be combusted to determine the composition. By measuring the amounts of carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen produced during combustion, we can determine the molar quantities of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen in the compound. From these quantities, we can calculate the empirical formula of nicotine.

Related questions

Which could represent the empirical and the formula of a given compound?

The empirical formula is representative for the chemical composition of a compound; the structural formula is representative for the spatial structure of the compound.


How do you know when to solve for a empirical formula?

You should solve for an empirical formula when you are given the percent composition of elements in a compound or when you have the molar mass of the compound but not the molecular formula. The empirical formula provides the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.


What is the percent composition of a compound with the empirical formula CO2?

The percent composition of a compound with the empirical formula CO2 is 27.3% carbon and 72.7% oxygen.


How is the Law of definite composition and proportion relate to the empirical formula?

The Law of Definite Composition states that a compound will always have the same proportion of elements by mass. This relates to the empirical formula because the empirical formula gives the simplest whole number ratio of the elements in a compound, which reflects the fixed composition of elements as per the Law of Definite Composition.


What is the importance of percentage composition?

Percent composition can be used to calculate the percentage of an element/compound in a mixture. From the percent composition, you can also find the empirical formula. And from the empirical formula you can find the actual molecular weight.


Choose the empirical formula?

To determine the empirical formula of a compound, you need the molar masses of its elements and their ratio in the compound. Calculate the ratio of the elements in terms of whole numbers, which will give you the empirical formula.


Can you determine the molecular formula of a substance from its percent composition?

Not completely. The empirical formula of a substance can be determined from its percent composition, but a determination of molecular weight is needed to decide which multiple of the empirical formula represents the molecular formula.


Can the empirical formula be used to calculate the percent composition of a compound?

Yes, the empirical formula can be used to determine the percent composition of a compound. The percent composition can be calculated by determining the molar mass of each element in the formula and then dividing the molar mass of each element by the molar mass of the whole compound, and finally multiplying by 100 to get the percent composition.


Nicotine has the formula CxHyNz To determine its composition a sample is burned in excess oxygen producing the following results?

The compound would need to be combusted to determine the composition. By measuring the amounts of carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen produced during combustion, we can determine the molar quantities of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen in the compound. From these quantities, we can calculate the empirical formula of nicotine.


What is the Definition of formula unit?

A formula unit is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms or ions in a compound. It represents the empirical formula of an ionic compound and is used to describe the composition of the compound.


How do you describe an empirical formula?

An empirical formula shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound. It does not provide the exact number of each atom present in the molecule. This formula helps in analyzing the basic elemental composition of a compound.


How does one determine an empirical formula form a percent composition?

To determine the empirical formula from a percent composition, you must assume you have 100 g of the compound. Convert the percent composition into grams, then divide the mass of each element by its molar mass. Next, divide each result by the smallest number obtained, and round to the nearest whole number if necessary to find the ratio of elements. These whole numbers represent the subscripts in the empirical formula.