a.) The percent composition of an unknown compound is 48.71% C, 30.73% O, 11.96% N, and 8.60% H. What is its empirical formula? Show your work. b.) We have an oxide of cobalt (the substance contains only Co and O) that is, by mass, 58.93% Co. What is its empirical formula?

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question

a.) The percent composition of an unknown compound is 48.71% C, 30.73% O, 11.96% N, and 8.60% H. What is its empirical formula? Show your work.

b.) We have an oxide of cobalt (the substance contains only Co and O) that is, by mass, 58.93% Co. What is its empirical formula?

Expert Solution
Step 1

According to the mole concept, in terms of mass, the amount of substance in moles is equal to the ratio of its mass to the molar mass.

Step 2

a)

The empirical formula of the unknown compound is calculated as follows:

Element Mass % Molar mass Molar ratio Simplest molar ratio Simplest whole number molar ratio
C 48.71 12 48.7112=4.059 4.0590.854=4.75 19
O 30.73 16 30.7316=1.920 1.9200.854=2.25 9
N 11.96 14 11.9614=0.854 0.8540.854=1 4
H 8.60 1 8.601=8.60 8.600.854=10.07 40

Thus, the empirical formula of the unknown sample is C19H40N4O9.

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Mole Concept
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY