A molecule has a mass composition of 48%Cd, 20.8% C, 2.62% H, and 27.8% O. What is the empirical formula?

CdC₄H₆O₄

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Mass percentage of:

     Cd = 48%

       C= 20.8%

       H = 2.62%

        O = 27.8%

Unknown:

Empirical formula:

Solution:

The empirical formula of a compound is its simplest formula. It is on this that the actual molecular formula is based.

To find the empirical formula, follow the following steps.

                               Cd                    C                    H                     O

Mass

Percentage             48                  20.8                2.62                27.8

Molar

mass                      112.4                 12                       1                     16

Number

of moles             48/112.4            20.8/12             2.62/1            27.8/16

                              0.43                  1.73                  2.62               1.73

Divide by

the smallest      0.43/0.43          1.73/0.43          2.62/0.43        1.73/0.43

                                1                       4                          6                     4

 Empirical formula = CdC₄H₆O₄