Answer:
C3H6O
Explanation:
Step 1:
Data obtained from the question include the following:
Mass of the compound = 0.225g
Mass of CO2 = 0.512g
Mass of H2O = 0.209g
Step 2:
Determination of the masses of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen present in the compound.
This is illustrated below:
For Carbon, C:
Molar mass of CO2 = 12 + (2x16) = 44g/mol
Mass of C in CO2 = 12/44 x 0.512 = 0.1396g
For Hydrogen, H:
Molar mass of H2O = (2x1) + 16 = 18g/mol
Mass of H in H2O = 2/18 x 0.209 = 0.0232g
For Oxygen, O:
Mass of O = 0.225 – (0.1396 + 0.0232)
Mass of O = 0.0622g
Step 3:
Determination of the empirical formula for caprioc acid.
This can be obtain as follow:
C = 0.1396g
H = 0.0232g
O = 0.0622g
Divide by their molar mass
C = 0.1396/12 = 0.0116
H = 0.0232/1 = 0.0232
O = 0.0622/16 = 0.0039
Divide by the smallest
C = 0.0116/0.0039 = 3
H = 0.0232/0.0039 = 6
O = 0.0039/0.0039 = 1
Therefore, the empirical formula for caprioc acid is C3H6O
